Kevin "Double Oh Yelp" N.'s Profile

Why one star?  because it's 4:30pm and this thing doesn't start until 7!

Or, to recap:  5 stars
minus one for JM bogarting the First to review
minus one for whisky sitting on my desk at work all day and i can't open it until 7
minus one for being Second to Review, and
minus one for Sheila backing out at the last minute since i was going to make her drive me home.

You know the coffee at Orchard Valley roasters in Campbell it's going to be good when they are grinding and roasting the beans right there where you standing in the ordering line. They have a couple good blends that are quite tasty and a nice outdoor seating area with tables in the shade and in the sun. Very spacious inside with many tables and free wi-fi.

I had a chocolate muffins that was just ok.  I don't know why Chocolate muffins with chocolate chips have gone out of favour, but they had some cakes that looks good, and I'd try one of those next time.

Saying that it was lazy people playing with their Nintendo DS's is a bit unfair.  This is a really fun and cool event that should challenge your mind and creativity.  There is some weird stuff, some cool stuff, some stuff that looks like junk, and some stuff that's made out of junk.  But everything has been put together with creativity, or talent, or both.  

It's an amazing collection of people, ideas, and technology.  Oh, and a craft area that I didn't totally get, although one lady had spats.  Spats!  When is the last time you saw spats for sale?  Yeah, I thought so.

My two favourite things were the fully functional steam engine and the Long Now 10,000yr clock.  One of an age past (although still a relevant technology) and the other a plan for something that is supposed to last for 10,000 years.  Both are a bit mind-boggling.

I wasn't a fan of the food, which was standard carnival food, so I passed.

Nectar in Burlingame is a beautifully appointed wine bar with take out prices akin to retail. Wines by the glass are in the 9 - 12 range.  And they have many small plates with wine pairing suggestions.

I had the prosciutto arugula salad with fried asparagus. Fresh mozzerella and shaved Parmiggiano Reggiano made the dish a brilliant and healthy late afternoon snack.  I was pretty hungry, it being 4:30 and not having eaten that day.  The fact that a couple glasses of wine and this small salad completely sated my hunger serves as a reminder that I usually eat too much.  At $15, the salad sounds expensive (compared to a giant, gut-busting enchilada at some taqueria, for example), but the vegetables were very fresh, the cheese amazing and the prosciutto absolutely succulent.
The table next to me knew nothing about wine and their very knowledgeable waitress (i think she was also manager or owner) brought them three completely different wine tastes to better guage their preferences.  That was a really nice touch and confirms Nectar's commitment to wine appreciation and that their customers enjoy what they order.

They also serve beer, for those with an aversion to fermented grapes -or just allergic to sulfites- and the descriptions for both beer and wine are humorous and unexpected.  One beer was descibed as "anise... with honey smacks".

Service was a bit on the slow side.  Well, let's not call it slow.  Service was relaxed in an it's-Sunday-there-is-no-need-to-rush kind of way.  I was able to pay my check in time to make the train, and that's all that really mattered.

Los compadres serves up some of the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. It was just after 3pm when I pulled up to Los Compadres and I hadn't eaten all day long.  The parking lot was completely empty on a Monday afternoon, so I worried my Mexican craving would go unsatisfied.  Not to worry, however, this restaurant does not take a siesta and keeps serving up food and drinks all day long.  To sate my hunger, I had a combo plate of Chile Rellano, chicken enchilada, and shredded beef taco.

The food here is really fantastic including the taco which is something I don't usually order at better restaurants as it tends to be a filler.  The shredded beef had tons of flavor.  The rice tasted like it had been made in chicken stock. So rice and beans I don't eat those but I did this time cos they're great. I was so stuffed. Chili Rellano was really well done and cheesy; the chicken enchiladas had large chunks of succulent white meat smothered in cheese and their enchilada sauce.

The margaritas are kind of epic.  The house one is a large beer mug and it is not lacking in the alcohol.  Not the strongest I've tasted, but a really good combination of tequila and lime.  They go down easy. Too easy.  Combined with all that food, and a long previous two days, I was out for the count and had to power nap the late afternoon before being ready to go out again.

Thank you Los Compadres!  You're my friend now and when I get back to LA, I'll be stopping by, hopefully for the 4-7 happy hour.  (The bar is somewhat separate and nice and dark if the day has become too hot and hectic for you.

In desperate need for some pre-flight food, I headed to the coffee cup cafe.

Sitting at the counter, I had a super nice and attentive waitress who didn't even roll her eyes when I paid in all $1 coins.  Note: When you roll with the LA metro carrying only 20s, you end up with a massive number of dollar coins; both the new George Washington variety and the older Susan B. Anthony ones (where did Sacajawea go?).  Noting that they were a couple Susan B's that shouldn't be confused with quarters (didn't to seem like a cheapskate), I paid the bill in what looked like a Vegas stack of chips.  This is great and I'm surprised my cool waitress didn't even roll her eyes at my silly payment scheme.  I expected it.

I ordered the combo meal with the eggs, pancakes, and bacon.  There were a couple different syrups sitting on the counter, but I didn't use them because, frankly, I didn't need the extra sweet on the already tasty pancakes.  Eggs were exactly as I ordered them: over medium so that the yolks are runny but thick and perfect for sopping up with whatever.  The coffee kept on flowin' maybe not the best idea when heading to the airport, but hey, it's a short hop from LBG to SJC.   This is a very nice and clean diner you will be happy to visit.

On a nice day, the outside seating alone is worth $5.  But better than that, it comes with two slices of pizza and a drink.  If you're alone and forgot your book, head over to Book Buyers across the street and grab something you've been meaning to read for a long time.  Like me, you just might not go back to work.  

If they served beer,  there would be a whole patio full of people not heading back to work.  Pretty good lunchtime fare at this pizza place along Castro.  I had a couple interesting slices (tomatoes and artichoke for one; sausage and spinach for the other) and it was none too greasy.  The staff were friendly, made sure I got what I was asking for (there was an ambiguous statement by me regarding the sausage), and brought it out to me on the patio after warmed in the oven.

When you've got 15min until the Caltrain leaves, this place is just close and fast enough that you can grab a couple papusas to go.  If you have a bit more time, they are on the side of Castro with all the good outdoor seating and there are plenty of tables in front of La Bamba.  This place is inexpensive and awfully tasty.

There is a full bar in the back, with a number of different tequilas and other liquors.  I have never seen anyone manning this station, so I can only guess that it is meant for more than just decoration.  Lots of cold beer available at the order counter, though.

Note: despite the name, I have never heard any Richie Valens music playing here

I keep having to pass up hike events posted by Yelpers because let's face it, I am out of shape.  So, Sunday, after eating a Super Burrito al Pastor (nom nom nom), doing something active seemed much more prudent than watching TV, playing video games, or even -gasp- Yelping.  If only those things burned calories!

So, I pulled out the easy hikes guide, went to DSW for some hiking shoes, and hit the trail.  It was cool, so I didn't worry about the rattlesnakes and I went from Horseshoe lake (probably the easiest hike from the parking lot) and then a steep climb to Russian Ridge, passing another lake, some rabbits, and then up to a hill.

It was a wet weekend, and that made the trails from the parking lots very muddy and difficult.  Ultra slippery and I almost lost my shoe in it after stopping for some water.

SportsTrack of the hike, complete with elevation, my slow pace, pictures, and music playlist:
http://sportstracker.n...

The elevation oscillated from 1900 - 2400ft but for the most part rolling hills so it wasn't difficult once past the mud.

Had a great time, but here is the weird part: I came home to make some dinner and the entire time I was in the kitchen, I sang the theme song for The Jeffersons.  What is that about?

Another excellently put-together event by our fabulous Connie.  And an appearance by the super cool Nicole; what a treat!  

I want to take away a star for the lag at the bar, but the bartender was so good and so cool, I just cannot.  The drinks, while tasty, were not my style, but I can see how a lot of people would enjoy their fruity goodness.  The lamb and chicken were tender and tasty.  I missed the puffy treat.  The dancers were a lot of fun, but too short!  We want more Bollywood dancing!!