bethany h.'s Profile

The recent negative Yelp reviews led me expect to hate this Andronico's on Solano.  I approached with trepidation, but after shopping here twice I can say that I am a satisfied customer!

They have a good selection of pricey organic/gourmet items and regular "joe" items for when I'm feeling poor.  The store layout is a little odd, but the plus side is that they seem to be able to pack in an inordinate amount of items.  Employees seemed friendly and a bit quirky, which suits me fine.

Perhaps I'm just thrilled not to be shopping at the Safeway down the street, but I would recommend this grocery store to anyone!  If I could give four and a half stars I would; I think five star grocery stores only exist in my head...

I'm in love.  I can't hardly imagine this little bar/eatery being any better unless it were located just outside my apartment and somehow a secret from most everyone.  Of course, if that was true, I'd be broke from buying all of their fantastic alcohol, but that's a small price to pay, right?

Every time I come here I get irrationally (or IS it irrational?) excited about their selection of whiskies: bourbon, rye and scotch.  I nearly always ask the bartender for a recommendation and haven't been disappointed yet.  Plus the bar manager has some awesome-looking tattoos and last night was working in a ship captain's cap!

I hate to yelp this place because it's crowded enough, but I can't hardly contain myself and must share the love.  If you appreciate alcohol (especially whiskies), yummy eats and a good vibe, you gotta hit the Alembic.  On nights when I'm not there so I don't have to compete for bar space. ;)

Good service means a lot to me and Fat Apple's totally fell down on the job.

Strike one: No sign up list at the door.  Instead everyone queues up in the cattle stall-like and mills about wondering what's up.  Please let me sign up to wait instead and let me get a mug o' coffee while I wait!  It's the only decent thing to do.

Strike two: Though we were able to order semi-promptly after being seated, we waited ten or so minutes (and finally had to ask) to get the coffees we ordered (whilst watching others receive their lattes, etc.).  We also had to remind them that we ordered two, not just one coffee.  Conversation suffered greatly during this caffeine-free period. :(

Strike three: Though our plates were cleared in a reasonable manner, they didn't seem to notice that we were done with our meal and might want the check.  Trying to get the waiter's attention was an exercise in futility, though eventually we were able to make contact and request to pay.

Overall the food was decent, but not phenomenal and certainly nothing that would drive me to come back considering the poor service.  The decor struck me as bland and didn't make me feel at home (unlike places such as Mama's Royal Cafe).  The poor service especially didn't make sense because it seemed they were overstaffed(!).  I hope they figure out what's up and fixes it, for the sake of the North Berkeley 'hood!

Practically no lines, plus you can actually see (and are often served by) the pharmacist, this place has it all over the big drugstores (Walgreen's, Long's, etc.)!  The pharmacist seems super competent and friendly and they sell lots of other drugstore type things you might need (good selection of condoms too!)  I like being able to patronize small businesses and would encourage others to do the same!

Before commencing with our drive around the North end of Maui, mom & I were semi-desperately looking for sustenance in Wailuku.  By chance we happened upon Market Street Cafe and I'm so happy we did!  Though the outside doesn't appear special, nor does the inside, the food is really a cut above!  The menu isn't large, but what's on the menu was quite satisfying.  I had the tempura Mahi-Mahi with a dill/caper aioli for dipping, mmm fried.  Mom had a splendid coconut Ahi with lilikoi ginger sauce.  We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals.  Service was typically Hawaiian, attentive but relaxed.  During the time we were there the restaurant filled with locals for lunch, another good sign.

I would recommend the Market Street Cafe for anyone looking for a great meal in Wailuku!

Too many people are crowded into this stylish restaurant.  Possibly related is the decent but rushed and semi-impersonal wait staff.  The food is good but not wow and expensive wine (recommended by the sommelier) was only "nice".  The portions are too large, I'd much rather have many small tastes than a couple big ones.  

After eating here twice in search of the reasons for our friends' adoration, we can advise you to eat somewhere else to fulfill your fine dining cravings.

We patronized farmerbrown one Thursday for late night eats after a show seen at the Curran.  Though it only received two stars from the Chronicle we were very happy with our meal.  After seating ourselves at the bar, we started off with a watermelon margarita and a mint julep for the boy.   The margarita was too spicy for me but I appreciated the very different flavor of the watermelon; of course the boy liked his julep.  The bar was decently busy, but the bartenders were  warm and when solicited about their favorite dishes seemed truthful.   We decided on the fried chicken with a substituted side of greens & pepper vinegar and the blackened ribeye with grilled onions and potatoes (hers and his, respectfully).

Decently quickly, I received my fried chicken and the boy got his blackened steak.  Diving in, we were both way pleased with our meals...  The fried chicken skin was ultra crispy and the chicken inside very tender (and I don't even like chicken much!).  My greens were a yummy mixture of well-cooked creamy-textured greens and some fresher crunchy greens.  The pepper vinegar complemented and did not overwhelm the greens.  The boy's steak (ordered rare, of course) was nicely seared on the outside and positively succulent on the inside.  My bite was delish!  He also raved about his side of grilled onions and potatoes.  After another drink of an alcoholic "limeade" sort for me, we made our way home with our leftovers, eager to savor our meals another day.