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"It's not a hard hike if nobody's shooting at you"
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Review votes:
3692 Useful, 855 Funny, and 2433 Cool
Fremont, CA
Yelping SinceJanuary 2006
Things I LoveFREE, Chinese food, Korean food, desserts, tart frozen yogurt, pizza, books, ramen, sushi, Musicals, sleep, eating out, food, shopping, banh mi, museums, movies, pie, chocolate
Find Me Inthe Bay Area somewhere
My HometownSF Bay Area, CA
When I'm Not Yelping...working, watching TV, sightseeing, eating
Why You Should Read My Reviews1-2 * places don't bother going 3* wouldn't mind going back; 4-5 * places GO!
My Second Favorite Website My Favorite MovieWhen Harry Met Sally; Dude Where's My Car?; Amelie
My Last Meal On Earthmac & cheese, a good burger, ice cream, pie
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...In The Heights coming Spring '10 - SF Theatre
Most Recent DiscoveryCafe Bakery & Restaurant, SF - FREE Refills HK Milk Tea!
Current CrushGlee
DateSan Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 391-7599
Il Cane Rosso
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 526-5252
The Bone Room
Category: Shopping
Neighborhood: North Berkeley
We got tickets to see him next time he's in the area - after the holidays sometime.
We spent maybe 20-30 min. inside the The Bone Room. It's a crazy store with bones, stuff animals, & live stuff.
Things I saw:
Camel skeleton $1200
lots of bugs & butterflies in glass frame
Emu egg - reg $25, sale $15
Turkey egg $3
Duck egg $5
Chocolate covered insects $2/box w/ 2 pcs inside - to eat
Scorpion suckers $2.5 - to eat
insect suckers $1.5 - to eat
Assorted sea stars $3 - Monterey Bay Aquarium said to Not buy them!
Lg Sea stars $4
Parrot fish $9
Live crickets - they won't escape cuz of slippery white paint
LIVE Albino Burmese Python - it's HUGE & very yellow. Don't touch the glass it bothers the snake.
Super skeleton $800
Stuffed Toads - very cute!
Bone clones
Hominid fossil casts
New Quail Skeleton from China $60
Lots of others stuff too.
On Solano Ave @ Peralta, next to the UPS Store. 7-11 Store across the road.
Holiday Hrs:
Closed Mon
Tu-Sun 11-6
Th 11-9
website:
http://www.boneroompre...
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 423-8033
Puripan Tea Garden
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms
I tried:
Jasmine pearl - tasty
marsala chai - tasty
NEW:
Jade chocolate tea infused chocolate $5.99 per bar
1. genmai - roasted brown rice, green & jasmine tea
2. Orient espresso - oak roasted,espresso & cardamon
3. Dragon's breath- roasted sesame seeds, lapsong souchang & chili pepper (supposedly won an award)
I should have bought them since I could have gotten 20% off.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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11/18/2008
I stopped into Puripan Tea Garden since it was close to the Tree Lighting Celebration at Santana Row and I've read good things.
Since they weren't doing tastings at the small bar they have, I'll have to come back another day.
In the shop they have lots of loose-leaf tea, tea mugs, tea pots w/ infusers $27.99, and lots of teas, many from Korea: green, corn, barley, persimmon leaves, etc. $4-$50 per 1oz-3oz bag.
I got to try some FREE nearby outside of the store. They had many samples of Tea In A Jar. The flavors I tried:
Aloe Vera
Citron
Papaya
Pomegranate
Ginger
I tried them all, they were all pretty light & sweet. $8 per jar. He said you only need 2-3 teaspoons & then lots of hot water.
Recommended.
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 248-7378
Isabella's Restaurant
Category: Latin American
FREE corn nuts & green hot sauce - tasty
Anticucho de corazon $9.95 - tasty calf hearts. 2 skewers with 3-4 chunks & 2 slabs of fried potatoes on the side.
Cebiche mixto $14.95 - lots of fish, octupus, mussels marinated in lime w/ corn nuts on the side, some sliced sweet potato on the side, & some hominy. Tasted fine.
Cau Cau de mariscos $14.95 - some seafood mixture in a light sauce & side of white rice. I thought it was ok.
Chicha morada $2.95 - fruity purple corn drink w/ some diced fruit. Tasty.
Lacuma (Peruvian fruit) ice cream $3.95 - I thought it was a bit grainy, but ice cream is always good.
They take credit cards.
Separate bathrooms in the back.
Hrs:
M-Th 11-10
F-Sat 11-11
Sun 2-8
Check their website for coupon (not as good as mine, still good) & menu:
http://www.isabellasre.../
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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3/30/2009
We had dinner at Isabella's Restaurant - a Peruvian place - on Mon 3/30/09. It's pretty easy to find. It's on 700 S. Winchester Blvd - make a U Turn on Magliocco Dr. It's across the street from Century 24 theater. It's in the Winchester Pavillion Shopping Center where Honeybaked Ham is, etc. They've been open for 1yr & 4 months.
FREE corn nuts & Hot green sauce. - tasty.
Appetizer: Anticucho de Corazon - $8.95 - grilled veal heart kabobs. Yummy. I love eating baby cow hearts. Sounds sick, but it's very nice beef. 2 metal sticks w/ 3 or 4 hearts per stick. 2 fried sliced potatoes too. Eat w/ the hot green sauce.
I asked Victor, the waiter, what the best seafood dishes were and they are what we ordered:
Arroz Con Mariscos $15.95 - sauteed seafood in panca sauce mixed w/ rice. It's a huge dish w/ lots of shrimp, fish, mussels, etc - like a paella. Very creamy & good.
Pescado A Lo Macho $14.50 - sauteed shellfish in red pepper sauce over fish. Light orange sauce w/ mussels, shrimp, calamari, over the fish fillet & some sliced fried potatoes, separate bowl of white rice given. Pretty good, huge portion.
Chicha morada $2.50 ea- On the menu it said $2, but bill since we got 2 said $5. Tasty enough purple punch w/ tiny slices of fruit.
Alfajores $3.50 - 3 small cookies w/ a light caramel, supposedly homemade. I liked them. Menu said $3, but bill said $3.50!
Credit cards taken. I had a Buy 1 entree, get 2nd Half price coupon - it's on their website too. To be used M-Thurs.
Lunch specials M-F 12-3pm $6.95!
Separate bathrooms in the back.
Their website:
http://www.isabel...
Clarion Alley is wild & everything goes.
Balmy Alley more ethnic.
Go check out both since they are in the Mission.
Clarion Alley is close to 16th St Bart. Go to 17th St, then turn Left on Clarion Alley. It's so colorful!
Great photo ops. Just don't take pics of the people sitting there, smoking or drinking - too scared they might jump me.
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 547-4005
Pasta Shop
Categories: Grocery, Cheese Shops, Delis
Neighborhoods: Rockridge, North Oakland
I got:
Mariage Freres Casablanca $19.75 - fancy tin & box. Nice for hostess gift or any snobby tea drinkers.
They've got cheese, wines, condiments, candy, etc.
Dolfin Rose chocolate $4.75 - don't get at Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe. It's cheaper here.
Credit cards taken.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 487-2600
Tartine Bakery
Categories: Bakeries, Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Mission
I got this time:
4" Frangipane tart $6 - It has a mild almond filling w/ some tart huckleberries. Pretty boring & dry. Skip it!
4" Banana Cream Tart $6.35 - it's good. Thick crust w/ chocolate & caramel (didn't taste caramel) on the bottom, lots of banana, whipped cream, & some shaved chocolate on top.
Walnut Bread $7.25 - it came out HOT & FRESH at 4:30pm on Sun 11/15/09. The guy said usually at 5pm bread comes out & today was early. I love HOT & FRESH Bread!
My total $19.60. Credit cards taken.
To try next time:
morning buns (morning item)
croissants (morning item)
lemon bars
gingerbread tiles
Guerrero @ 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 626-5600
Bi-Rite Creamery
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Mission
Tried pumpkin - tasted ok
Got my standard flavors again: ginger & salted caramel single is 1-2 flavors $3.25. I got it in a cup.
Paid cash today, they do take credit cards.
They sell Holiday Pies too:
Pumpkin $16.99
Apple w/ crumb topping $1.699
Pecan $18.99
Hrs:
Su-Th 11-10
F-Sat 11-11
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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10/18/2008
2nd time trying Bi-Rite Creamery. Prices have gone up a bit from the last time I ate here.
Ask for samples, they are pretty nice about it. They use regular spoons which is nice. Cookies & cream was good, pumpkin just ok, coffee toffee ok, roasted banana just ok.
I got a single cup w/ 2 flavors..same as last time: salted caramel on the bottom & ginger on the top in a cup. $3.25. Back in 4/2007 it was $2.95. .30c more.
They take credit cards so I charged it.
Ice cream is ok, though the salted caramel is very soft & melts quickly.
I didn't bring my frequent buyers card - oh well. -
4/30/2007
News from the store:
Closed Tues May 1, 2007 from 11a-5pm in support of the Amnesty March & International Workers' Day. We'll be open from 5p-10p.
We'll be open on Wednesdays starting May 9, 2007!
I got to try Bi-Rite Creamery because there was FREE Bart today 4/30/07, too bad no more free Bart after today..sucks I know.
So it's a cold night in SF but there are people still wanting ice-cream. This place is tiny. It probably fits 10 ppl at most w/ a small area on the side with 3 stools to eat.
Tiny samples are given with regular spoons. I got to try Balsamic Strawberry and Roasted Banana. If you blind folded me I couldn't tell u what the difference was. No strong taste to any of them.
I got a single scoop on a cone with 2 flavors for $2.95:
salted caramel & ginger.
Salted caramel is really salty and really sweet. Just ok for me.
Ginger had a good ginger taste, not too strong for me. I love ginger though. Sugar cone is good.
I also got 2 chocolate chip w/ walnut cookies .75c each, just ok crispy cookie. I like Bakesale Betty's better.
Get the Bi-Rite Creamery punch card. Buy 10 whatever (*doesn't apply to waters & sodas) get a single scoop for FREE. I got 4 punched already by getting 2 cookies & 2 single scoop cones.
Recommended. About 10 min walk from 16th Street Bart station. Cross street Dolores.
hrs: Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs 11a-9p
Fri & Sat 11a-10p
We'll be open on Wednesdays starting May 9, 2007!
I saw one unisex bathroom, but hubby said it was for Employee's Only.
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 553-6888
Ike's Place
Categories: Sandwiches, Burgers
Neighborhood: Castro
Line can be long & also the wait for them to make it. There was about 5 ppl in front of me to order, then a 30 min wait to pickup my order. Call in your order maybe to make it faster.
For my first time I was overwhelmed with the huge book of sandwiches.
I picked #30 "The Backstabber" - Sourdough roll w/ tender chicken, artichoke hearts, Caesar dressing & provolone. I think the total was $8.70. Corey told me to get pesto on it & got that too. Ate 1/2 will eat other half tomorrow.
Next time I'm trying #111 "Menage A Trois" - the guy from Man vs Food ate that. Cory also recommended the "Paul Reubens" #91.
Since CeCe talked to Ike for her UYE we all got FREE drink & chips on Sun 11/15/09. I got Honest Tea Organic Honey Green Tea & Dirty potato chips Jalapeno Heat 2oz bag. Oh yay, comes w/ a lollypop too.
They take credit cards, I paid in cash.
Some tables/chairs outside. Best to take it to-go.
I love Ike's Place. Recommended.
Hrs:
Sun-Th 10-8
Fri-Sat 10-10
Website:
http://www.ilikeikespl.../
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 978-2787
Yerba Buena Center For the Arts
Categories: Performing Arts, Museums, Art Galleries
Neighborhood: SOMA
They had a bar where you could buy alcoholic drinks. I didn't check if they had bottled water.
Orson/Citizen Cake had cupcakes for $3; Whoopie Pies $3; cold noodle dish $5; warm pork buns w/ kimchee $5. I thought the whoopie pie was dry for the cake part, I did like the marshmallow cream inside.
Try to guess the 5-digit combination for chance to win a Smart car $10 a guess. It was for fundraising. Too hard for me.
Spin the Wheel for some prizes - cost money to do, didn't try.
Gallery art was pretty interesting this time around. Some favorites: Isabela Capeto Ferris Wheel 2008 - mini art made of wood, metal, plastic & lamp. Didn't move when we were there.
Merry-Go-Round 2008 - cool.
Rivane Neuenschwander "Pangea's Diaries" was cool - ants moving beef carpacio but showing the continents moving.
I recommend it for an hr of entertainment.
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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8/5/2009
After spending hours at the SFMOMA I walked across the street to see YBCA for FREE First Tues.
It's way less crowded and lots of room to move around. Got a ticket at the box office though the information desk gave out tickets too + brochure on what the art work is about.
I liked the anime huge artwork. The one artwork where you need to put on gloves, then grab a colored roll & unroll to see the art - not my fav - made me tired.
Bathrooms upstairs & downstairs. -
5/6/2007
This was museum 4 of 4 that we saw Sun 5/6/07. This was free for BofA/MBNA customers so we saved $6 each. If I had to pay it wouldn't seem worth it, but free hell ya.
They had Robert Crumb a cartoonist. Just ok for me.
Black Factory
and something else.
Not really that great and we finished in about an hr. They have a 2nd floor but still not much to see.
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Updated 11/10/07:
went for FREE Yerba Buena Free4All. Saw exhibits: BioTechnique & Dark matters: Artists see the Impossible. Just ok.
Separate men/women bathrooms available on the first floor.
26 Lists
3 Events
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Free performance by The Alegre Sisters
Today 8:00 PM -
Wahoo turns 21 - Free Combo #1
Today 11:00 AM -
EAT at 111 Minna
Monday 5:00 PM
Cauliflower soup $6 - it was nice. Very creamy, but no taste of cauliflower for me.
Porchetta sandwich $9 + Cauliflower soup $ = $15 + 1.43 tax = $16.43. Credit cards taken.
FREE Filtered water if you want. Nice. Guy even refilled my water bottle w/ the filtered water from tap.
If you eat there they give you a number to put on your table & will deliver the food to you. Some tables along the side, I think some outside w/ view of the Bay Bridge.
Separate bathrooms next door.
To try next time:
Straus Dairy vanilla soft serve $4.5