North India Bar & Grill

This was a surprisingly classy Indian restaurant in Clovis. I had very low expectation since it occupied the former, garish On The Border building but it looks very nice and fresh. We had a spinach/potato dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, and a mutton dish (I forgot to not the names, sorry). But the food was excellent!
I don't eat much Indian food so I cant be more descriptive, but a foreign student from India also gave this restaurant high marks if you don't believe my own uninformed opinion.

Javier's

Nestled just north of Sunnyside (for 30 years or so, evidently) is an unassuming square building, occupied solely by an unassuming Mexican restaurant.

I’ve found two opinions on Javier’s from my peers: love and hate. No middle ground. The menu offers standard Mexican fare, with a wide variety of combo plates, and while prices have gone up in the last year, they’re just now competitive.

Livingstone's

A co-worker and I decided to meet up at Starbucks to catch up and talk shop. The mood shifted from coffee to beer, so we decided to head for the Tower District, ending up on Livingstone's patio. Ten minutes later, we resorted to ordering our beers and food from the bar inside, but more on that later.

Papa John's

Kim called me on her way home from work:Kim: I'm starving.Me: Yeah, I'm pretty hungry.Kim: What do you want for dinner?Me: I need to eat something healthy—like a good salad.Kim: Is the lettuce in the fridge still good?Me: eh...

We hang up. Nine minutes later, she opens the front door.Kim: So, what do you want for dinner?Me: Well...Papa John's is open.Kim: WHAT!?!? WHERE? I could totally do pizza.Me: Yeah, salad's overrated.

Masala

I'm posting this several months after my first experience at Masala, so it's a bit diluted; a Sunday dinner at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago consisted of several Indian dishes I can't pronounce, and reminded me of Masala, where I first sampled the flavors of this culture.

Earlier this summer I was working with my church, guiding my pastor through a strategic planning process. One of the board members wanted to go over a few things, so he suggested Masala. "Where's that," I asked. "Oh, it's next to Hooters"—there's something mildly funny about that.

Joe's Steakhouse

Kim and I attended a mayoral forum on Thursday that focused on poverty. We decided to leave early to grab a bite before heading home, and since it was cool outside, we skipped Sushi Hana (one of our new favorites) for the walk to Joe's.

Fresno Breakfast House

Today I discovered that there are two Fresno Breakfast Houses. The one I thought I was supposed to be at is located in the Pavilion West shopping center at Bullard and West; the one I actually needed to be at is at Ashlan and First. Any guesses which one is nicer?

I don't actually know if the owners are the same. They both serve a good breakfast, but the Ashlan and First location is much older, and worse for the wear.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

One of Kim's high school friends came home to visit family and friends a couple of weeks ago, so we met them at BJ's for drinks and dessert. Since we had dinner beforehand (which is worthy of a post in itself), this isn't a review about food, so much as the overall vibe of the restaurant.

Blossom Trail Cafe

With the day off of work, and the temperature dipping down into the 50s last night, Kim and I decided to get up early and ride to breakfast on the motorcycle. Since we live in Southeast Fresno, Blossom Trail is a quick ride, and a decent breakfast.

We got there around 7:30 a.m., and were a bit surprised to see the parking lot almost completely empty. What I love about the cafe is that it attracts all kinds of patron, some wrapped in leather and on their Harleys, some in preppy clothes with the top down on the convertible, and yet some in full camo (no, really).

Claim Jumper

Before coming to Fresno, I had never heard of tri-tip; evidently, this cut of beef is discarded elsewhere, or traded for brisket. Either way, I've since met countless men who claim to be masters of the tri-tip, many of whom cook the meat fairly quickly, and until it's medium well. If I'm completely honest, I don't care for the cut (though I can make a mean chili with it).