food&wine ﺍ
RESTAURANT GUIDE
style BBQ Pork Masterpiece make this a great lunch destination, but live music Friday and Saturday nights and the largest bar in the Valley (complete with twelve house-made beers on tap) draw crowds at dinnertime and in the later hours, too. The whole family will enjoy the food as much as the fun murals and collections of local antiques on display.
STOCKTON Angelina’s Spaghetti House
1563 E. Fremont St., (209) 948-6609 www.angelinas.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$
Angelina’s is a true family restaurant: owned by four family members, named after another, and welcoming to all of yours. For thirty-one years, their hearty homemade pastas, raviolis, and traditional sauces have been bringing families together just like a meal at Grandma’s house. Consider inviting all your relatives to dine together in Angelina’s comfortable and cozy banquet room the next time you are hosting a family get-together. Angelina’s isn’t fussy—just simple, classic, and great tasting. Arroyo’s Café
2381 W. March Ln., (209) 472-1661 www.arroyoscafe.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $
[ POP THE BUBBLY ]
BOTTLE BUBBLE ICE BAG It’s that time again: a new year with new resolutions. Maybe your goal for 2012 is to attend more of those social events you’ve been too busy for in the past. Or perhaps you just want to have more romantic evenings with that special someone. That’s where the Bottle Bubble Ice Bag comes in. It keeps your champagne (or any spirit of choice) chilly as you head to your destination, and the easy-to-grab plastic handles make it super portable. The slim structure also won’t take up too much room in a picnic basket. If alcohol isn’t your fancy, it’s also ideal for carrying sodas or other drinks while keeping them cool. Simply place your beverage in the durable bag, add water and ice, and you’re good to go.—K.D.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lodi Cooks, 5 N. School Street, Lodi, (209) 334-5751 lodicooks.net, truefabricatons.com
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SAN JOAQUIN MAGAZINE
When Guadalupe and Jesus Arroyo moved here in the early 1940s, they immediately began sharing their passion for food with friends and family by opening their first restaurant. Sixty years later, their son Mario continues the tradition and commitment to excellence at Arroyo’s Café. Located on the water, one can enjoy fresh, homemade tortillas, enchiladas, carne asada, and other Mexican favorites. Friday and Saturday nights the restaurant hosts live Mariachi music, and the bar hosts Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ave on the Mile
2333 Pacific Ave., (209) 462-5AVE www.aveonthemile.com Full bar. Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. $$
Commonly described as “chic” and “upscale,” Ave on the Mile takes finger foods to a whole new level. Come have a seat in the swanky, comfortable lounge and prepare to enjoy decadent appetizers and desserts while sipping on top shelf cocktails from their fully stocked bar. Celebrating a night out on the town? Ave offers bottle service for those who want to enjoy a night of VIP treatment. Or simply come to relax and enjoy the topnotch hospitality that makes Ave special. Breadfruit Tree Restaurant
8095 Rio Blanco Rd., (209) 952-7361 www.breadfruittree.com Beer and wine. Open for lunch & dinner. $$
In the mood for something different? Relax on the Delta and enjoy the flavors and rhythms of the Caribbean Islands at Breadfruit Tree. The restaurant serves food from many of the tropical islands, and prides itself on its Peleau—a rice stir-fry with fresh veggies and seafood, seasoned
with a myriad of delightful spices. Complete your meal with a Jamaican beer or house-made, Caribbean-style drink. While eating, admire the hand-painted murals depicting waterfalls and island life. The owners proudly claim, “As they say in the Caribbean, ‘we cook food with love.’” Breadfruit Tree is open for catering yearround, and restaurant dining February to November. Bud’s Seafood Grille
314 Lincoln Center, (209) 956-0270 www.budsseafood.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$
Everyone is welcome at Bud’s Seafood Grille. Friendly service, hearty portions, and a range of fish, seafood, pasta, steak, and poultry entrees make Bud’s a great choice for a business lunch, family dinner, or night out for two. Every meal begins with a bottomless basket of fresh sourdough bread, so be careful not to fill up before the rest arrives. The new leafy outdoor patio seats thirty, and is the perfect spot to take a break from shopping in Lincoln Center and enjoy a leisurely lunch or even just a drink with a friend. Casa Flores Marina
3201 W. Ben Holt Dr., (209) 451-1116 www.casafloresmarina.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
Casa Flores Marina has everything that a lover of Mexican food could want, from the fresh and tasty chips and salsa they bring over when you sit down, to the hot and sizzling fajita skillets, accompanied with hearty portions of warm tortillas, rice, sour cream, and fresh guacamole. But aside from the delectable food, Casa Flores Marina hosts great events including their tequila tasting on every third Thursday of the month. Guests can try their impressive tequila collection paired with an appetizer and shaken into a delicious cocktail. Their outdoor seating is a great place to enjoy a marina margarita, or stay indoors for a romantic meal in the soft lit dining room. Centrale Kitchen and Bar
1825 Pacific Ave., Ste. 2, (209) 939-1825 Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
Bringing a new look and feel to Stockton, Centrale Kitchen and Bar will give you the feeling of an upscale bistro in any big city around the world, with its authentic brick walls and dark, walnut wood floors. The menu features traditional American comfort food with a strong focus on fresh and unique ingredients. As with the dinner menu, the wine selection will change by season, and you will find many extraordinary bottles that you won’t find anywhere else in the region. With a full bar, Centrale is also bringing back the quality cocktail by using all fresh juices and house-made mixes. Centrale Kitchen and Bar is located on the south end of the Miracle Mile.Outdoor dining available. Chitiva’s Salsa and Sports Bar and Grill
445 W. Weber Ave., (209) 941-8605, www. chitiva.net Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $-$$
Chitiva’s serves up authentic Mexican
JANUARY 2012