Bay Hibachi Express
295-A Mare Island Way
Vallejo, CA 94590
707.771.8640
Bay Hibachi Express is a humble, hidden gem on the Vallejo waterfront (behind Manny’s Steakhouse.) The owners, Toshi and Romeo, from Nepal and the Philippines respectively, opened this casual Japanese and Filipino fusion hibachi spot in 2021 at the height of the pandemic. They have survived well and established a regular following.
The menu is diverse with some unusual offerings such as fried tofu, spam fried rice and tosilog. Among the most popular dishes are the egg rolls, potstickers and the special “Bill’s” fried rice. The stir-fried vegetables are perfectly prepared. Gracie couldn’t get enough of the stir-fried noodles—delicious and all made to order. Hibachi special plates include your choice of New York steak, salmon, chicken, lobster and shrimp.
The indoor dining area is small but there is also an outdoor “barge” (with a permanent tilt!) that sits right on the water—the views are tremendous. Might this be reminiscent of Tiburon or Sausalito? Probably not. It has a different vibe that carries the history of being the original ferry dock for workers on Mare Island. The walls inside are covered with fascinating historical memorabilia—a wooden female figurehead from a ship’s mast, ship’s wheels, nautical maps, etc.
Bay Hibachi Express has a full, well-stocked bar with amazing cocktails—French Martini or Raging Bull, anyone? Wine and beer available. Lots of vegetarian options. Parking in the lot or on the street.
Settle in on a lazy day for the vibe and the views while choosing from a multitude of food flavors. Cheers!
Flow
2024
Adventure/Family/Animation
Rated PG
85 minutes
Written, edited and directed by Gints Zilbalodis
Streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV and Max
Flow follows a courageous and persistent cat after his home is devastated by a flood of biblical proportions. As the water keeps rising, he teams up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird and a dog to navigate a lone boat in search of dry land. There are many perils along the way, but the gifts of friendship and community provide sustenance and survival.
Flow is a feast for the senses and a treasure for the heart. The movie is completely animated, has no humans and no dialogue, and yet it is completely mesmerizing and magical—offering hope for humanity and for the future of our planet. The animation during this life-affirming movie is innovative—a wondrous journey steeped in the possibilities of visual storytelling. The animal characters must rely on trust, courage and wits to survive.
When asked about the project, the director, Gints Zilbalotis, described it as “an intuitive flow of fantasy.” It is nothing less than an explosion of imagination that is inspiring and impossible to ignore.
Flow won the Golden Globe and Oscar for best animated feature, 2025. It is the first Latvian film to win an Academy Award. This movie is a work of art, a cinematic masterpiece—-the visuals will stay with you long after the popcorn is gone.
Movie Magic gives Flow 5 Moons out of 5.
