Hungry? Then Lodi is the place to be

By Jana Saastad
News-Sentinel staff writer

Lodi is a great place to taste and buy wine.

But men and women cannot live on wine alone. Nor should they have to, considering all the culinary choices in the Lodi area.

When you’re wine tasting in Lodi, don’t forget to give the local eateries a try. They proffer everything from fresh and inventive salads and gorgeous baked breads to homecooked breakfasts and gourmet dinners.

Your palate will thank you.

The following are best bets for obeying your hunger.

• Romantic meals: Wine & Roses Inn and Restaurant (2505 W. Turner Road) is hands down the most romantic place for a candlelight dinner in its newly renovated dining room. Or try the gourmet picnic lunch in the sumptuous garden (beginning in mid-summer). Hazel’s Restaurant (28 S. School St.) is another romantic favorite with its low-lighted atmosphere and contemporary motif.

• Breakfast: Webb’s Cafe (116 N. School St.) and Village Coffee Shop (416 W. Lodi Ave.) share the distinction of being among the best places for morning refueling with delicious American breakfast meals amid the chatter and gossip of local diners.

• After work drink: Hazel’s is upscale — a glass of cab and a plate of scoozies (gorgonzola-stuffed pocket bread, rubbed — generously — with garlic and served with tomato basil fresco). Ollie’s (22 N. School St.) is honest and down to earth and owns a nostalgic jukebox; and Sky’s (116 W. Turner) is the place where everyone knows your name.

• Best Bloody Mary: Ollie’s and Garry’s Lounge (13 School St.) share honors.

• Best crab legs: Woodbridge Feed & Fuel (18939 N. Lower Sacramento Road) sells San Francisco-fresh crab legs piled high on a plate, served with hot butter. Order a glass of Mondavi chardonnay with this delightful cuisine and you’ll be in heaven.

• Greek salad: Felten’s (215 N. Cherokee Ave.) and Country Kitchen (1327 W. Lockeford Ave.) both serve generous portions and use authentic Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

• Cup of Joe: Who can resist whiling away the hours with coffee and talk? House of Coffee (239 Lakewood Dr.), Tillie’s (21 W. Pine St.) and Mocha My Day (22 S. School St.) brew quality roasted beans for coffee and espresso beverages and sell delicious sweet desserts, bagels, fruit and biscotti to accompany the caffeine.

• Burger: Avenue Grill (506 W. Lodi Ave.), Country Kitchen and Phillips Farms Restaurant sell some of the best all-American hamburgers in town.

• Pizza: Pizza Works (100 W. Turner Road) gets a nod for its pesto pizza and its Mornay sauce pizza. Rick’s Pizza (1320 Lakewood Mall) get all-around kudos for good pizza, an awesome lunch special, sports television and plenty of room for the crowds. Rick’s is everything a pizza place should be. For exotic gourmet pizza, try Cottage Bakery.

• Asian persuasion: There’s plenty of places in Lodi to whet your appetite for far east fare. King Tsin (121 S. School St.) has the best atmosphere and good food. The Rice Bowl (408 W. Lodi Ave.) serves refreshing Cantonese and Mandarin dishes. Cafe Latte Authentic Thai Cuisine (2401 W. Turner Road) lives up to its name.

• Tastiest taco: Mazatlan Cafe’s (125 N.Sacramento St.) version of a taco is ground beef simmered with potatoes (just enough to give it texture), cheese, lettuce and a homemade sweet tomato sauce in deep fried tortillas. El Rodeo (550 S. Cherokee Lane) and El Rosal (728 W. Kettleman Lane) sell delicious soft tacos with tasty, fresh salsa bars.

• Pie: Pies are plentiful in Lodi, but only a handful of restaurateurs make them fresh from dough and hand-picked fruit. Phillips Farms (4580 W. Highway 12), Cottage Bakery (203 S. School St.), Baker’s Dozen (2401 W. Turner Road), Village Coffee Shop and Alexander’s Bakery (1100 W. Lodi Ave.) share this distinction.

• Sandwiches: Alexander’s Bakery makes a terrific turkey focaccia and the crunchy ciabatta bread at Tillie’s is perfect with your favorite deli meat. Rollin’ in Dough (425 N. Sacramento St.) makes a fat meatloaf (just like mom’s) accompanied by one of their sweet, homemade cookies.

• Sushi: You might be stuck in Lodi, but not without the availability of fresh, raw, succulent sushi thanks to Matsuyama Restaurant (235 Lakewood Mall). While you’re there try the crispy tempura. The Bento box lunches are delicious and a fabulous meal deal for lunch.

• Salads: Cafe Woodbridge (18815 Lower Sacramento Road) majors in refreshing, crisp salads. Try the spring green tortellini. Riverboat II in the Delta Loop is famous for its endive salad. The Crab Louie at Woodbridge Feed & Fuel (18939 N. Lower Sacramento Road) offers a generously portioned crab salad with soup and a bottomless basket of bread.

• Prime rib: Lodi is beef country. It’s easier to mention who doesn’t have a prime rib special than the restaurants that do. Among the best and beefiest deals are Woodbridge Feed & Fuel, Back Bay (100 N. Cherokee Blvd.) and the Woodbridge Inn Steakhouse (18878 N. Lower Sacramento Road).

• Bread: Like manna from heaven, Alexander’s Bakery’s “baked on the bricks” French and sourdough is baked to perfection with a soft middle and a hard, crunchy crust. Cottage Bakery sells a variety of breads, the best is its European line.

The bakers at Phillips Farms create mouth-watering fruit breads (the zucchini orange nut bread is a local favorite) that’s fresh, moist and brimming with fruit flavor.

• Most unique: Golden Ox (410 W. Kettleman Lane) gets this distinction for offering a drive-through window even though it’s not fast food and for taking credit cards/ATM at the window. Add to that owner John Padronas’ awesome toy train collection. Plus, who else sells Hungarian goulash amid hamburgers and other standard fare?

• Brunch: Wine & Roses, Woodbridge Feed & Fuel and Riverboat II offer leisurely a Sunday brunch.