Five Guys didn't fail me like most large chains :)

Well, since in the last post I just mentioned a great gourmet burger, I think I'll stick to the theme and talk about a little bit less expensive burger, but also delicious, that's at Five Guys.

I visited the Five Guys Burgers in Salinas last week and ate some free, fresh roasted peanuts while I waited for my extra large Burger and seasoned fries. I don't usually cover big chains, but Five Guys, in my opinion, is excellent and rivals In and Out, Sonic, The Habit and of course, Tommy's, as the only fast food hamburger chains worth visiting on the West Coast. There are a lot of Five Guys Burger joints opening up all around, including one in Santa Cruz that just opened last month, and they serve fresh (many local) ingredients (such as the fries), with zero cost add-ons for multiple toppings. My only complaint is not having a different cheese then the American cheese the burger came with, which I'm not so much a fan of. The Banana/chocolate shake I had to dip my fries in was also great.

For a reasonably priced, extra good hamburger fixed the way you like it and some gourmet fries and a shake, check out Five Guys the next time you see one.

Gabriella Cafe, Santa Cruz - One of the year's best?

I had the opportunity to eat at a very good restaurant this week for lunch called Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz California. The restaurant is set off the main drag in downtown Santa Cruz and he's been in the same location for over 24 years. (That's usually one sign of a quality run restaurant.) Both the owner Paul, and his son Matt were both there to make sure we had a good experience.

I find it hard to go out to a nice restaurant and pass up a good sounding gourmet burger if it's on the menu. This was no exception and believe me this hamburger did not disappoint. It was cooked perfectly the way I asked and was large but not too messy. Very flavorful.

Since trout is my favorite fish, I decided to go with the trout salad as well which was grilled and tasty and yet not overdone. I could have gone for a little more dressing on the salad, but the vegetables were great and the food was prepared and presented in a very professional and caring way.

Paul was well-versed and happy to help customers with choices based on seasonally available products. That also means so much when you're trying to get good quality food in my opinion. I will be coming back to Gabriella Cafe often and would recommend you do the same if you're in Santa Cruz.

We're going to be back going through Santa Cruz in the next few days with some of the other restaurants and places that we would recommend so check us out often here at Travel bum Diaries And subscribe.

Until then, Ciao

John Steinbeck House, Salinas, Ca.

Since we're talking about Cannery Row in the last post, I'd better get up to date on my John Steinbeck info.

First off, if you are reading this and haven't heard of, or read some of John Steinbeck's books, you're missing out.  He is one of America's best authors and wrote books such as "The Grapes of Wrath" about the American Dust bowl in the depression, "East of Eden" about the Salinas Valley, and others like "Cannery Row", "Of Mice and Men", and "Tortilla Flats". One of my favorites called "Travels With Charlie" talks of the trip he took in a custom motorhome with his dog Charlie. All true to life tales, based in fact. Great stuff.

So, John Steinbeck's birth home, located in Salinas, Ca. has been made into a restaurant and resides about a block from the National Steinbeck Center.

The lunch was fantastic. Set in a turn of the century motif, with servers and docents in period garb, the food was really fresh and delicious. Homemade soups, salads and sandwiches were excellent. The Cranberry chicken salad sandwich was really, really good, as was the Cream of Broccoli Soup of the Day was great.  Lots of fun, and definitely one of the bast restaurants in Salinas!

Turn 12 in Monterey. A winner

I have lived in California for my whole life, (which is to say for 51 years) and have covered so many great places to visit and have lived in some of the best as well.  I eventually settled in the Monterey area to get away from the traffic and heat of my longtime home, Los Angeles.  One thing I will say about this area, as far as the food goes it seems like it should be a lot better than it is.  After over three years living here, I have really only managed to find a handful of great restaurants worthy of the praise and prices they command. Restaurants like Demetra Cafe in Carmel BTS and the Fishwife, Alvarado Grill and Cafe Fina are exceptional with few others I've tried keeping up. Places like Vesuvios (turning out soggy and over seasoned pizzas) and Dominico's on the wharf  with their rude staff and bland food are vastly overated in my opinion. There should be no excuse for mediocre food and crappy service when you're paying top dollar.

One restaurant that I've been to now twice for their Sunday brunch, and really liked is a newer restaurant called Turn 12 in Monterey.  The decor is set in a California style with Racing Bikes and Artwork adorning the walls.  A huge welcoming bar is the first thing you see when you come in.

The food was really excellent.  I had their Skirt Steak BL(a)T sandwich with aioli sauce.  It was so good I had it again the next time!  My partner had an egg sandwich with arugula, Swiss cheese and apple smoked bacon which was also delicious.  The Sunday brunch comes with a bottomless Mimosa and they have great Bloody Mary's with lots of good spicy stuff for your palate.

I really enjoyed it and will definitely be back soon.

Ciao