Mel "Gleefully Wicked Moonbabycake Warrior" T.'s Profile
Date
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 735-5055
Cookie Time
Categories:
Bakeries,
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Yes, I picked up one of each cookie. I don't live nearby, and didn't want to wonder if I missed getting THE cookie if I DIDN'T order one of everything, so there went $16 (4 cookies x $3 a piece + $4 cookie custard).
The warm cookie custard, which had the likes of a not-fully-baked cookie, was not...my cup of tea. The chocolate was super bitter (and this is coming from someone who loves dark chocolate) and had a weird cheesey hint (I know; I said it was weird). And my cookies? None of them (chocolate chip, molasses spice, snickerdoodle, and dark choco hazelnut) were bad, but none of them were memorable, either, especially at their hefty price tags. They definitely weren't the best cookies I've ever had.
Not sure how Cookie Time missed the mark for me, but I won't be going out of my way again to return.
I went for the Pork Dumpling Tofu Soup, spicy. Altough the dumplings were tasty, my soup was incredibly bland. The bf had the Beef Tofu Soup, mild, and his was much more flavorful. Turns out one of the friends we were eating with also had the Pork Dumpling Tofu Soup recently, and he, too, had found it flavorless (he hadn't mentioned this when we were ordering in hopes he had just visited on an off day). Two Pork Dumpling off days? I'm not going to be the one to order it again and earn three strikes; one of you Yelpers do it, and tell me what you think.
Despite this, I will give DJG another shot. The restaurant was spacious, and service was warm and friendly. Ban chan were fine, although as much as I usually enjoy kimchee, I wasn't a fan of this one. I did, however, appreciate the complimentary dumplings (yum). Freebies always help to add to a more pleasant experience.
P.S. Aaron H. called it in his review (props!) - your rice comes out with the ban chan, and without a lid for the bowl, gets cold by the time your food arrives. Also, I'm not a big fan of "purple rice."
The only other Yelper thus far to mention this change is Lawrence T., so kudos to you! Like Lawrence, I have been a monster Anthony's fan for years. His cookies really couldn't be beat, and, a few years ago, at 95 cents each, plus 6 for $5 and a dozen at $9, extremely reasonable. Sadly, not anymore.
Yesterday I paid $8.75 for seven cookies. Yes, that breaks down to $1.25 each. Nope, no price break.
I guess I've just been spoiled by the old pricing. But to spend about the same as what I used to and receive nearly half the amount of cookies? Sad. Anthony, you and I used to be best buds, but it's time for us to become mere acquaintances. I'll be seeing you...
2 Previous Reviews:
-
3/21/2010
Finally visited Anthony's Cookies storefront yesterday afternoon! I was slightly disappointed that Anthony wasn't there so I could personally tell him how obsessed I am with his cookies, but this didn't stop me from walking away with two dozen cookies and one extra for my five year old niece.
My niece, Sienna, is a smart kid, I tell ya. After gobbling her Semi-sweet Chocolate Chip cookie, she exclaimed, yes, of course, with chocolate smeared across her entire face, "I LIKE these cookies!!"
Oh, yeah. It's now been about 32 hours since I visited Anthony's. Tell me why I only have about eight remaining cookies? *sigh* Maybe I should have gone for three dozen... -
3/3/2010
Good God these cookies are amazing and addicting. Nom nom nom nom nom.
I've never been to the actual Anthony's Cookies shop, but J has bought me some, and (hallelujah) my work's cafeteria also sells the cookies. Come most mid-afternoons, when I'm looking for a reason to get away from my desk, I head upstairs to the cafeteria and immediately to these cookies. I can never walk away without at least double fisting - one each of the Toffee Chip and Cookies and Cream (and sometimes I'll throw in a Ghirardelli White Chocolate for added measure) - because I can never decide between the two which is my favorite. The Toffee Chip is crispy on the edges nice and chewy as you make your way towards its middle. The Cookies and Cream is like eating a chewy mix of an Oreo and a chocolate chip cookie, minus the chocolate chips. I try to wait until at least the middle of the week to allow myself to purchase these cookies because once I start buying them, I have to buy them every day for the rest of the week (I kid you not; they are THAT addicting).
Ok, I need to get away from my desk now. Bet you can guess where I'm headed!
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-4240
Donut World
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Donuts
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset
Let me remind you that I am not docking stars from Donut World for not fulfilling my maple request. I am docking Donut World, however, for underdelivering on my favorite donut.
I love maple old fashioned. I love the sickly sweet maple and the crunchy dough. Donut World's maple old fashioned, though crunchy, was not rich in maple. The color of the maple itself, almost like a light khaki, should have already been a red flag, but I must have just been blinded by my donut craving. Also, the maple had a citrus hint, of which I was vehemently not a fan. Wholly disappointed.
I'm sticking to Bob's Donuts. And when I'm too lazy to haul my arse over to Polk, I'm sure even a Safeway maple old fashioned will do. Donut World? Sadly, not so much.
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 242-9200
Sheng Kee Bakery
Category:
Bakeries
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset
Riding the N Judah, I noticed the brightly lit storefront and subsequently got off the train to see what the glow was all about. With no signs outside to indicate what this beautiful new place was, I was surprised when I walked inside to find myself in a Sheng Kee.
For those who aren't familiar with Sheng Kee, it is a Chinese bakery that sells a wide variety of baked buns, pastries, and cakes. Despite the pretty much self-service, prices here are a bit more expensive than your typical hole-in-the-wall Chinese bakery, and, honestly, I don't think the flavor quite measures up to the extra $$$. What sets this particular location apart from other Sheng Kee locations, however, is that this one is clearly catering to a different clientele. Stop by this Sheng Kee and then head down to the one on Irving and 20th, and you will clearly notice that they are like night and day. The space here was spotless, there were offers of promotional and bogo pricing to entice new customers, and I was even asked whether I needed any assistance!
Like I said, Sheng Kee isn't that special to me in general, so I won't be stopping by here often, but I do have to admit that I was impressed with the look of the place.
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 242-9388
Hot Pot Garden
Category:
Chinese
Neighborhood: Parkside
For a brand spanking new joint (opened on 1/6, and my visit was on 1/8), HPG seems to be doing all the right things:
- Price. Current promo price: AYCE $19.95, AYCE + drink $31.95. Price likely to increase $5 on both fronts in two months.
- Service. Super friendly and super attentive. I appreciated not having to flag a server down to make any requests - yes, the servers were that proactive on checking in on us (and, no, we weren't the only ones in the restaurant). Also, the manager visited our table to introduce himself and gain feedback, which certainly gave me the impression that HPG really cares what its customers think. The team has done their homework to ensure their pricing stays competitive for the area. Their menu isn't yet finalized as they want to understand which items are most popular and keep available while weeding out the rest and testing new options. Lunch hours are also possibly on the horizon, with set lunches priced around $15.
- Variety. EIGHT soup bases (yes, you can go halfsies and split your pot!). Four beef options, including hand sliced prime rib at $2 more per plate. Pork belly (yes, you got that right). Fish. More than a dozen veggies. Six types of noodles. Geoduck, lobster, scallop, and more are also part of the menu (although not part of AYCE).
- Decor/Set Up. Modern, clean, and roomy.
All in all, a great addition to the neighborhood. Oh, and Mr. Manager, a couple suggestions that didn't occur to me as we were talking:
- Can you please chop up the napa? I've always found big leaves of the vegetable a pain to eat, and my table ended up breaking them into pieces by hand before dumping them into our broth.
- Please invest in those strainers, so I can skim the unappealing fat globs from my broth towards the end of my meal. Show owner comment »
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 558-8801
Broadway Prime
Categories:
Steakhouses,
American (Traditional)
I had high hopes for Broadway Prime, especially alfter the great and jolly service I experienced both when making reservations as well as when receiving my day of confirmation call. And although service was just as hearty in the flesh, a couple major factors just didn't measure up.
The aura of the restaurant lacked life and vibrance. The place just felt empty, especially on the dimly lit second floor, where no music played overhead and where the stark white walls seemed barren. The food was also disappointing. Although the salad was, as far as I could tell, identical to the one served at House of Prime Rib, the restaurant's namesake, the prime rib, despite being cooked perfectly, lacked flavor. And, no, pouring additional au jus over the meat did not help.
All in all, as much as I wanted to like Broadway Prime, I'm making my next prime rib reservation at House of Prime Rib. Yes, service there can be hit or miss, but at least the tasty prime rib is dependable.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 409-6497
Urban Outfitters
Category:
Fashion
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 759-5076
Postal Depot
Category:
Shipping Centers
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
I've visited Postal Depot a couple times before and have found the "customer service," if you can call it that, horribly shoddy and prices astronomical. The only reason I stopped by this time was for a work emergency.
I was charged $30 to ship my one 5lb package via Fed Ex ground to San Diego and another $10 for the cardboard box I purchased to ship my package in my item in. I knew this was outrageous, but, again, this was an emergency, and perhaps more importantly, expense-able.
Later, just for kicks, I visited the Fed Ex website for a shipping estimate. I filled in the prompts twice, once with the true measurements of my package and then again with even larger measurements to see if I had entered the info incorrectly. $10. $10!!!!!
Again, thank God I can expense this, and never again, Postal Depot!
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"I just found Red Velvet crumbs in my pocket"
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San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceFebruary 2008
Things I Lovetulips, coconut, baked sea bass, the number 27, photo taking, sriracha, even digits, garlic soy edamame, time increments of 5, all shades of green, Verminators, Girl Scout Cookies, Alan Wong's The Coconut, sea turtles, Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi, Kettle Chips and Flaming Hots
My HometownSan Francisco, CA
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm sleeping!
Why You Should Read My ReviewsWhy not?
My Second Favorite Website My Favorite MovieDirty Dancing
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...my pinkie toes can wave hi to you!
Current CrushSteph Curry
Like other Yelpers, a deal enticed me to give Bikram a try. This was a Bikram first for me, (I'd only ever attempted regular yoga once), and I was deathly intimidated. Would I pass out from dehyration? Would I not be able to withstand the 105 degree heat? Could I really last 90 minutes?
Fast forward, and I'm sad my deal has expired. I had actually grown to enjoy bikram and had gotten used to the studio and instructors (yes, I had my two favorites, neither of whom were the one who talked so much during the standing exercises that we were rushed during each savasana because we were running over time or the one who would turn the heat up noticeably higher than normal). I didn't like how big of a time suck bikram was (factor in driving to and from the studio, class itself, and the necessary immediate post shower, and nearly three hours have gone by), but I loved the high I felt walking out of the studio after each session.
Bikram Yoga, decrease your membership fees, so I can return! My yoga mat misses you!