Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lotus Chaat & Spices serves Indian Street Food in San Rafael, Marin County

Lotus Chaat and Spices is the North Bay’s only destination for the delicious snack foods of India: dishes that will not only nourish you but also tingle your tongue and provoke your palate with a kaleidoscope of flavors, textures and spices.

 

What is Chaat?

 

Most chaat are based on dough made from a variety of flours. Depending on the type, they’re deep-fried, baked or steamed. They can be stuffed or topped with a variety of fillings that range from potatoes, beans and chick peas to assorted vegetables to cheese, even other grains.

 

About Lotus Chaat

Lotus Chaat & Spices, the only Indian chaat restaurant in the North Bay, debuted in San Rafael in April 2011.

The vibrant-colored café, which seats 80 indoors and 20 at sidewalk café-style outdoor tables, is located at 1559 4th St. on the West end of San Rafael’s burgeoning business district.

 

The new eatery also contains a small Indian grocery store which is imported from India’s most renowned food producers and is a center for Indian cooking classes.

 

“We’re delighted to be the first chaat house in the North Bay,” said owner Surinder Pal Sroa, who also owns the famous Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael, Anokha Cuisine of India and Golden Egg Omelet House in downtown Novato as well as Café Lotus in Fairfax .

 

Sroa was born in India and grew up in the grocery and spice business. According to him chaat, or small plates of savory foods, have become one of the most popular meals in the world — not just in India, where they originated, but throughout Southeast Asia.

 

Why Eat Chaat?

 

The popularity of Chaat is spreading because these types of dishes are made with healthy ingredients: whole grains, grain and bean flours, fresh potatoes, chickpeas and vegetables such as onion and cauliflower. In addition, chaat are typically vegan as well as low in fat or even fat-free and mostly gluten-free.

 

Most of the ingredients are organic, even locally made. For example, the popular Three Twins organic ice cream company crafted four ice cream flavors specifically for Lotus Chaat & Spices, including Alfonso mango and green cardamom.

 

Popular plates at the new restaurant include Chole Bhature, wafer-thin, puffy breads deep-fried to be greaseless, airy, crisp and soft all at the same time, served with a richly-spiced, savory stew of chick peas and red onions. Bhel puris, little shells of crunchy, ultra-thin pastry filled with chick peas, tamarind sauce and yogurt, are another hit. The menu also features some of India’s most popular sodas. It truly is a street food extravaganza, but with the comfort of seating in a colorful, Indian art-filled space.

 

The kitchen is headed by executive chef Hari Krishana Mehta, who owned the popular India Village in San Rafael for 24 years. His chef de cuisine is Parshotam Lal, a veteran of India Palace in Mill Valley and Raja Cuisine of India in Berkeley.

 

The space is also available to be booked for private parties and cooking classes, such as team-building culinary adventures.

 

COOKING CLASS

 

Lotus Chaat & Spices offers monthly Indian cooking classes, usually on the last Monday of every month. Sign up to learn how to cook the finest Indian dishes.

 

For the Lotus Chaat menu and updates about the Lotus Cooking Class visit http://www.lotuschaat.com/. Call (415) 454-6887 to enroll or for further information.

 

 

 

Cafe Lotus Organic Indian Cafe Fairfax, CA

Taste the tradition…

Café Lotus is an organic Indian Cafe in Fairfax, CA that offers an unusual dining experience. Surinder “Pal” Sroa, who owns the award-winning Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael, is also the driving force behind Cafe Lotus in Fairfax.

This Organic Cafe in Fairfax is a unique oasis by where you can take the culinary road less traveled... all the way to India. Cafe Lotus serves authentic, home-style Northern Indian cuisine prepared with organic ingredients and fresh spices, many of which Surinder imports directly from India…all beautifully presented in a casual, friendly atmosphere.

Fresh, organic, delicious!

Cafe Lotus uses only the finest natural meats, produce and dairy. All cooking is done with pure canola and olive oils. There are no dyes, no chemicals and no MSG. The entire menu at Cafe Lotus is available GLUTEN FREE.

Twice each week, Pal visits the wholesale markets by himself, insuring that only the best of the best is served. Expect no less. So if you’re around the area stop in for lunch or dinner, or even for a snack of chats…try one and you’ll be hooked!

Savor delicious Indian cuisine at Café Lotus or even at your home by delivery service. It’s easy and convenient; the food is always piping hot, ready and waiting when you arrive. The only difficulty might be choosing between one mouth-watering entrée and another.

About Cafe Lotus

Café Lotus brings Northern India so close you can taste it…
They offer delivery in Fairfax, San Anselmo & Sleepy Hollow
You can also order online with speedy delivery to your doorstep!

Meet The Owner

Surinder came to the US from the Indian state of Punjab in 1984 and spent ten years managing grocery store bakeries. Eventually, he became co-owner of a friend’s restaurant, and in 1998, Surinder proudly opened his first San Rafael location. He is happy to bring the organic cafe version of his successful eatery to Fairfax.

Northern Indian cuisine

The staple foods of this region are lentils, vegetables and tandoori meats and breads. Methods and style of preparation vary depending on locale, but entrées served throughout the area include kabobs, rich, fragrant rice dishes such as pilafs and mildly spiced kormas, braised meat in a creamy sauce. North Indian food is sometimes subtle, often complex, and always a delight.

Community Support

The Lotus Family of Restaurants in Marin County has become famous for their generosity at Thanksgiving. They open their doors to the public and serve free meals on the night before Thanksgiving. Lotus Café also supports several charities in India and locally as well, such as the Canal Community Alliance, Ali Akhbar Khan School of Music and numerous school fundraisers. And they are still willing to extend their help to any school or other non-profit who are organizing fund raising project.

Lotus Café online order is available on their http://cafelotusfairfax.com/. Call (415) 457-7836 to order via phone. 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Lotus Cuisine of India, Indian restaurant in San Rafael

Lotus Cuisine of India is located in downtown San Rafael and has the finest Indian Food in Marin County

Lotus Cuisine of India was voted by Pacific Sun as the best Indian Restaurant in Marin 1999 – 2003, and entered  in the Hall of Fame 2004 – 2007 and then once again proved themselves as Best Indian Restaurant from 2008 to 2011. Their popularity continues and becomes the first and only Indian restaurant rated “excellent” in the Bay Area Zagat Guide from 1999-2011,

Lotus Cuisine serves contemporary North Indian Cuisine. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan delicacies using only the finest organic & local ingredients.

About Lotus

Lotus Cuisine of India is family owned restaurant committed to transport you from familiar local taste to those wholesome & varied traditions of modern Indian Cuisine.

Lotus Cuisine is one of the several restaurants in Marin County run by Surinder Sroa and his family. Surinder with his family made their Group of Indian restaurants the very best in San Francisco North Bay.

In 1998, they started Lotus Cuisine of India to feature:

• the warm, full flavors of contemporary Indian cuisine complete with personally handpicked herbs and spices and foods;

•  a cozy atmosphere and delightful ambiance framed by Indian decor;

•  gracious hosts with quick and courteous service;

•  Their experienced master chef, Purshotam, whose creations are based on core Indian cuisine

•    a wide range of choices for particular tastes, including varying degrees of spice and oil, vegan and vegetarian palettes.

With all the accomplishments they have achieved, the group of restaurant started the tradition of giving back to the community during Thanksgiving holiday season every year. The restaurants open the doors to their guests a day before Thanksgiving and offer a free meal.

Visit http://www.lotusrestaurant.com/ for more information about Lotus Cuisine of India. Call (415) 456-5808.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County, CA: Serving the homeless and those in need with our soup kitchen, car donation program and much more.

WHO WE ARE

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County’s goal is straightforward: to provide services to those in Marin County who are struggling to make ends meet and might not otherwise received help.

Competent volunteers meet with individuals and/or families in order to establish a trusting relationship and to ascertain how they can best be served. They provide assistance in the form of direct aid, intervention, advocacy or moral support. This "neighbor helping neighbor" model holds "respect" as dearest attribute: respect those they serve for their many experiences, their struggles, their talents and their humanity.

The Free Dining Room uses this same volunteer-driven model. In the dining room, neighbors provide neighbors with hot food, a place for respite and a listening heart. They serve all who enter our doors, 365 days of the year.

St Vincent de Paul Society of Marin is a part of an international catholic organization providing services and assistance to those in need. The Marin Council is independently incorporated, administered by its own volunteer board of directors and responsible for its own fundraising and programs. All donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin stay in Marin County.

One of the oldest and most effective charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (http://www.svdpusa.org) is a Catholic lay organization of more than 690,000 men and women throughout the world who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually and offer person-to-person service to the needy and people living in poverty in 142 countries on five continents. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., membership in the United States totals more than 172,000 in 4,600 communities. Programs include home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, job training and placement, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, transportation and utility costs, care for the elderly and medicine. Providing more than $595 million in tangible and in-kind services, SVdP serves more than 14 million people in need each year, performs more than 648,000 visits to people in their homes, and delivers more than seven million service hours to those in need, regardless of age, religion, creed, nationality or ethnic background.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County is committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to our assistance, programs, facilities, and employment opportunities. We do not discriminate against any person that will seek help and offer assistance regardless of the race, color, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, political affiliation, immigration status, mental or physical disability, income level, or medical condition.

SERVICES

Last year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County helped more than 16,000 people in the community, offering assistance in the form of free hot meals, rental deposits, utility assistance, social service referrals, and other vital needs. These services operate without government or church funds, allowing them to serve the community without barriers or restrictions in a timely and compassionate manner. With the kind support of its donors who value the advocacy of St Vincent de Paul, they are able to offer these services free of charge.

DINING ROOM

Every day, homeless neighbors and other struggling citizens are served with our soup kitchen, housing assistance, open pantry and much more. The Free Dining Room was created in 1981 as a free kitchen to serve Marin County's hungry citizens with dignity and a welcoming demeanor. The Free Dining Room has been open every single day since then, and has served more than two million meals to our hungry neighbors. Each year St Vincent de Paul serves more than 140,000 meals, providing the only sustenance of the day for diners. Many of them are Marin's "working poor," living below the poverty line and trying to make ends meets. We also serve senior citizens and people with disabilities, who often appreciate a hot meal and some warm conversation. Finally, the Dining Room offers a welcome respite to those who do not have housing, and must sleep in their cars or in the hills of Marin County.

HOMELESS HELP DESK

Homeless Help Desk welcomes over 1,400 clients each year and offers limited financial aid, referrals, and a sympathetic ear to people without a place to live. The core of this service is to acknowledge emergency needs and stabilizing individuals and families. Last year Vinnies helped transition more than 75 people off the street and into permanent housing.

Services includes such as:


* Brief motel stays for homeless and stranded families
* Rental Deposit assistance
* Transportation
* Prescription medications
* Blankets
* Food
* Clothing, toiletries and other essentials

HOME VISITS

Every week in Marin County, volunteers from the Society visit people struggling to make ends meet in their homes to help them get through life's struggles. The primary goal of these visits is to prevent homelessness. They do this by providing rental assistance, utility bill payments, food and more. Cash is never distributed to clients; all needs are verified with appropriate third parties, and all assistance is paid directly to landlords, utility companies, etc. This program is exceptionally committed to keeping children housed, to provide the stability and security that all children need to thrive.

Home visits are the "heart" of the Society, and have been happening around the world for more than 170 years. Last year more than 200 volunteers provided 1,174 home visits to people in every city and town in Marin County.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County owns and operates eight low income apartments above our Dining Room, providing housing for very low income and chronically homeless residents. These apartments are located in downtown San Rafael close to transportation, employment and support services.

WHO WE SERVE

The St Vincent de Paul Society provides basic assistance and serves free meals to people from all walks of life, including senior citizens, single parent families, veterans, those working two jobs to make ends meet, the unemployed and the homeless. The vast majority of those we serve are employed in Marin County.

ADVOCACY

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County focuses on key areas of social justice: poverty, homelessness, unemployment, access to healthcare, alleviation of hunger, and personal security and safety.

Please visit the list of resources we have compiled that describe system change and ways to make the world a better place for those who face poverty. The Society does not prescribe a solution, but merely encourages engagement in the public policy process.

Visit http://vinnies.org to find out how you can help. Call 415-454-3303

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Connectics.org serves individuals with any diagnosed disability

Integrated Community Services (ICS) is a distinguished non-profit agency providing solutions to the critical needs of individuals with disabilities..

ICS aims to build specially designed programs that assist self-reliance and address the diverse and unique needs of this population.

We believe that people with disabilities can live rich, independent lives when provided with encouragement and practical support in the areas of employment and independent living skills.

Our executive staff has advanced degrees in the specialized field of rehabilitation counseling.

With over 30 years combined experience, our expertise has been called upon by community, County, and state government agencies.

What's New

ICS is excited to announce the grand opening of GEM (Growing Excellence in Marin), a vocational horticulture training program. GEM is structured as a three- to nine-month training program to prepare clients referred through the Department of Rehabilitation to become skilled entry-level greenhouse/nursery employees. ICS will provide job preparation, development, placement, and coaching to clients who have completed their GEM training and are deemed employment ready. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the site on Friday, July 23rd with some 70 program participants, support staff, and community members in attendance.

About Us

Our Mission is to provide a wide range of community-based services for individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, housing, recreation, information, and referral.
Our Goal is to assist individuals to develop a greater measure of personal autonomy and control in their lives.
Our Belief is that people with disabilities can and do perform to the high standards of employers and the community and live rich, independent lives when provided with encouragement and support.
Our Motto is W.I.T., "Whatever it takes!"

About ICS

ICS works with people with all types of disabilities Regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, or sexual preference with no age limit (although some government-funded individuals must be 18 years or older).

Who are medically stable

Who are willing and able to benefit from service.

Who possess a manageable behavior in a non-institutional environment, including no threatening behaviors towards self or others.
 
Who have basic self-help skills, Who are willing to work with ICS on obtaining funds for services through government and private sources

CLIENT SERVICES

ILS Independent Living Skills

Through our Independent Living Skills training program, ICS addresses daily living skills that may include money management, domestic skills training, medical and social assistance, as well as community integration. We also assist students and their families as they transition out of special education programs and into adult life.

An ILS Trainer is appointed to an individual after assessment is completed and will provide focused one-on-one training.

Under ILS services, individuals can access the Movie Club and Bowling groups that are client-run. Employment

ICS provides a special combination of human and community resources that makes rehabilitation successful. Our mission is to create specially designed programs that promote self-sufficiency and address the diverse and unique needs of the populations we serve. ICS assists individuals to land competitive jobs throughout Marin County. To ensure success, we offer vocational counseling, job development, on-the-job training, and follow-up services to both the employee and the employer.

Employment Programs: STAR

The Marin County Support and Treatment after Release program (STAR) was originally implemented through a competitive Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction grant (MIOCRG) awarded by the California Board of Corrections in 2000-01. STAR enrollees receive intensive treatment and services to support functioning and reduce recidivism. Some of the STAR multi-disciplinary specialists include Community Mental Health professionals, County probation, the Sheriff's Department, the San Rafael Police Department, and ICS. Our role consists of vocational/educational assessment and planning. We provide immediate vocational coordination, counseling, placement and job coaching services to enrollees. ICS also facilitates volunteer placement, educational/career planning, and service coordination of agencies such as the Department of Rehabilitation for additional vocational support.

Employment Programs: Odyssey

ICS is an integral part of Community Mental Health's Odyssey Program. This program serves individuals with mental illness who are at risk of homelessness. Odyssey offers intensive case management services addressing housing; medical and psychiatric treatment; and vocational needs. ICS focuses on employment needs by providing volunteer placement, vocational/educational counseling, job placement, and job coaching. We also coordinate services with outside agencies and assist clients with accessing Department of Rehabilitation services.

Employment Programs: Phoenix

This unique workshop was developed by ICS for enrollees of the Odyssey and STAR programs. The Phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth and re-creation and is linked to the idea that individuals can connect who they are with meaningful work. This workshop incorporates the creative use of songs, personal stories of triumph, the Core Gift Assessment, motivational and vocational exploration exercises, and self-reflection to help individuals define a career path which suits their personal values, beliefs and vision of the future.

Information and Referral

Our staff is exceptional. The executive staff has advanced degrees in the specialized field of rehabilitation counseling. With over 50 years combined experience, our expertise has been called upon by the community, county and state government agencies. Our professional staff consists of Transition and Employment Specialist, Job Coaches, Independent Living Skills trainers, and Resource Specialists. Integrated with ICS' provision of services is our coordination with partner agencies and referral to appropriate resources.


For more information about Integrated Community Services programs and services of visit, http://connectics.org/ or call 415-455-8481.