Robin A.'s Profile

I've only have ordered delivery from Zante's, and truly, the only reason why I  ordered after dissatifaction was because of the availability of online ordering.  Once they lost my order altogether and it was too late to order delivery from anywhere else (except Cable Car) and on several occasions it has taken over an hour for delivery.  They never call to confirm, I've always had to call myself.  The last time I ordered it took TWO hours and I told the driver I'd never order from them again...and I haven't.  He didn't seem to care at all, and then asked me how to get to Daly City.  The food was cold.  You'd also think they'd figure out how to pack the delivery food a little better...tikka masala in chinese food boxes wrapped in tin foil?  The extra star goes for the food, when it is hot, it's decent.

A quaint little three-star in Union Square.  The front desk person, Patricia, was exceptionally nice.  We missed the free wine tasting at 5pm.  The suite was OK, no view at all.  Bigger bath towels than other three-stars.  NO room service, even while being connected to Kuletos.  The wifi connection is sporadic, and uploads were impossible.  Was rather quiet at six floors up on a Monday night.  The blow-dryer set itself on fire as soon as I turned it on.  The parking is rape at $37 for less than 24hrs.  If I wasn't carrying so much expensive equipment in on my own, I would have just gave the bellman my luggage and parked at Sutter Stockton Garage.

About five years ago, my boyfriend and I shopped here, a LOT.  We have quite a few pieces of furniture, lighting, and a few random things for the kitchen.  We loved being able to walk to showroom floor.  We loved being able to go up to the roof and pick out Alessi kitchen do-dads in the showroom next to the Airstream.  But, no longer.  If you want to view things at Limn, you better make an appointment, because the floor is by showing only.  The last thing I need is someone showing me what they think I should buy and then up-selling me by a few grand more.  When I walk onto a showroom, I like to mosey around and ask questions when things catch my eye.  I don't need an escort.

It seems as if every time I visit Cafe Mason after work with coworkers, I get really shitty service.  I've came in and joined friends, ordered, and completely forgotten about.  I've ordered, added OJ and Pelligrino as  my drinks, only to have those forgotten, too.  They are quick to blame things on the kitchen and bussers instead of just admitting they forgot.  Sitting at the bar alone is the only hope for being remembered.  The food is rather decent, the busser is on top of things (so I will give an extra star), the waitresses seem really stressed out ALL THE TIME.  Homeless sometimes walk right in and up to the tables to ask for money, so try not to sit with your back to the door.  Also, don't don't don't go in if it's slightly packed, you will be there forever.  Out of all the 24hr joints on Mason, I prefer Cafe Mason's menu selection over Lori's or Pinecrest.  The waitresses need work.

I stopped in for lunch a few months ago, and became really excited when I saw the ceviche selection on the menu.  After choosing the camarones ceviche, the waitress told me that they were out of it.  I ordered the ahi tuna ceviche, they were out of that, too.   Already out for lunch?  It was 2 in the afternoon.  I asked what they did have and she pointed a few things out.  I ordered the nicoise salad.  If you're out of something, shouldn't you tell the patron when they are sat, after you mention the special?

The salad was decent, not exactly what I expected, not really a salad, but I ate it anyway.  The ambiance may be better at night, but during the day, was bothersome.  Not one light was on in the dining room, the only light coming from the fog outside.  The phone was ringing off the hook LOUDLY and right on the main floor.  It was dead quiet, no music was playing, the occasional clang of silverware, and then the damn phone ringing and ringing and ringing.  It should have been answered and/or turned down.

I totally dig Arch.  So much to choose from; supplies, paper, pens, paint, mediums, and more.  As an art student, I appreciate not having to run all over town to Flax, Pearl, or Blick to be treated like a number when I can stay in my own neighborhood and get excellent service, plus a student discount. The staff has always been helpful and friendly - and whatever they don't have, they will order for you.  I dig the resident dog, too.  Besides doing supply runs for class, I love the selection of oddities they carry - many small things that are great for gifts of any occasion.

To the woman who claims they illegally park scooters, I am not buying that.  I've been a customer for years and know where they park the scooters in the alley, and from what I've heard, she attempted a hit and run (on my boyfriend's scooter) before the owner had to run after her.  

First Kick has always been good to me.  I've taken my P in a few times, and always to great service.  They're honest, and have a lot to offer on the floor.  Not only do they work on vintage scooters, but they offer newer scooters and motorcycles, too.

On a random venture across the bridge, we wandered into Cafe Divino this evening for dinner.  We made it just in time at quarter to six, as the place quickly filled.  The host was especially nice, the busser was on top of clearing plates and water.  A local hopped on the piano and played for everyone for about a half an hour, which was awesome.  The whole place is lit by candlelight, very nice ambiance.  The oil/vinegar plate comes with squash, which paired wonderfully with the buttery pannini.  For starters we had the bruschetta and caprese salad, which was quite good.  For entrees we had the rigatoni and penne with smoked salmon with a little pinot grigio.  The pasta was a little on the salty side, but overall well done.  I followed up with a cappuccino with chocolate flakes floating on the foam - yum!

My only complaints would be that the tables were so close together that we were constantly banging up against the next patron, and that the main door stayed open, good for fresh air, but it made it too cold to take my coat off.

First of all, I will admit my bias, I work here.   I will first point out that while it is next to Ruby Skye, it's NOT Ruby Skye so if you're a local snob,  get over it.  Remember that Ruby Skye is a HUGE venue that can pack over 1000 people, and sometimes it needs to be filled.

I really like Slide.  The DJ's are decent, the service is damn good.  I wouldn't really call it a nightclub, or a lounge, but a bar that includes a DJ for dancing.  The only night where the DJ is really mentioned is on Thursdays, and he wants you to know who he is so he has a stage setup on the main floor instead of over at the piano.  I love the history of the space...it was a speakeasy during prohibition and patrons used a slide to get down to it, and crawled up a ladder to get out.  Before Slide was built I spent a lot of time exploring the space, and it's a little haunted.  I dig it.

Need a place to sit? Welcome to bottle-service-land.  If you're a stranger to this, let me fill you in:  all tables are for bottle service.  If you have a group of people willing to pitch it, it's not so bad.  If you have 6 people or less there's only one bottle purchase required, more than six you will have to buy two.  Most tables buy two or more.  The base price of the bottle isn't as bad as some places in Vegas or NYC, which is a plus. You get as many mixers as you want (Red Bull and bottled water is $5 each).  The staff runs their asses off making sure that the tables have everything they need at all times.  The bartenders are quick and make damn good drinks.  The prices are pricey, but expected.  I am not a fan of the glowy bottle buckets, they are a pain to deal with, and look a little tacky at Slide.  I also realllly hate the Red Bull logo on the foot of the slide.  I wish the signs would come in for the mens/womens bathrooms, because people are lost every night assuming that the two are in the same place when they are on opposite sides of the floor.  People are constantly lost in the back hallways looking for the "other" bathroom.  Also, if you're going to use your cellphone, go outside for christsakes, it's obvious you can't hear your call over the music.  

All in all, the crowd is generally beautiful, and it's fun to watch the mating process unfold after a few drinks.  The music is mash-up and keeps the crowd dancing (and singing).  If you don't have a skirt on, you must go down the slide, you will feel like a kid all over again.

I've heard that Nijiya is the "Safeway" of Japanese markets in SF from a Japanese friend of mine, but I still love Nijiya for my sweet-tooth.  I stock up on red-bean cakes, cream waffles, fruit-filled marshmallows, you name it.  The price is what kills though, every time I visit I spent at least $75.  $6.50 for a pack of marble soda!  The Japanese employees have been more helpful than the Caucasians, who seem to know how to stock but not where they stock anything.