The Chronicle Takes a Pleasant Trip with Alcomar

Dining at Alcomar made The Chronicle’s Virginia Wood feel as if she was lounging on the beach with fresh Latin fare. She and her group worked through the menu during the restaurant’s recent benefit brunch. Despite long waits between dishes, they encountered unfussy vibrant plates with equally pleasing food.

The most visually stunning plate on the table that day had to be the butternut poblano relleno ($19), a roasted pepper stuffed with seasoned squash purée sitting on a bed of sautéed Swiss chard, goat cheese, and pistachio cream sauce under a tangle of marinated onions. This work of culinary art is officially in the running for the most impressive vegetarian dish in town this year.

Melanie Haupt finally got to revisit Texas Honey Ham for a review for The Chronicle. The Westlake restaurant closed briefly after a fire last year. Much to her pleasant surprise, everything remained the same, including the breakfast tacos with baked potato hash. Then there was the meal-worthy sandwich:

I'm also a fan of the ham sandwich ($6.49 full, $4.29 half), which is a straightforward version of the classic, served between generous slices of griddled white or wheat bread. Order a side of shells and cheese ($2.70) or apple slaw ($2.49) and you've got an appetizing lunch that transcends the workday.

THE BLOGS: Lazy Smurf’s Guide approves of the vegan sweets at Sweet Ritual, A Taste of Koko tried frogs legs again at Vox Table, and Mike Sutter’s pursuit of tacos continued with more Torchy’s, rightly named Tacos Deliciosos, breakfast tacos at Los Reyes, barbecue tacos from Smokey Denmark, DIY ones at Taqueria La Tapatia, and many more.