Kristen Q.'s Profile

I have yet to figure out why this place is so popular. We've been twice, and the first visit was better than the last, but on a Thursday night with no rush the service should definitely be better.
We started by asking where the crab was from; the server didn't know. We decided to feast on prime rib instead. We ordered a mussel appetizer, which was good, but not among the best I've had.
But here we are, finishing our appetizer, and having ordered our prime ribs literally three minutes earlier: here they are arriving at the table. I was so shocked I asked the server if they were meant for another table. She said, "no, they're yours; is that ok??" like I was breaking some basic understanding between us that our meal was going to arrive on the heels of our first drinks. I shrugged and made it clear that I thought she was daft, because I really didn't come here for the cafeteria experience. And speaking of cafeterias, I've really had comparable meat at Brennan's. There's nothing special about this meat, or about this place. It's really not worth the drive out there, for those of us near the Bay Bridge side. I'll drive 15 minutes and go to Casa Orinda for some of the best prime rib around.

Stopped into the Wine Mine for a tasting after a hard Saturday in the field, looking like I had lost a mud wrestling match with a combine, and I ended up sipping Dolcetto and discussing film noir. No one gave me the slightest indication they minded that I was dressed like Farmer John, and I was as impressed by the selection and pricing as I was with the friendly atmosphere. A small but impressive selection with many wines from NorCal but also the up-and-coming varietals to keep me on my toes. Will definitely be back, and soon!

Our motley gang of pals arrived in Big Sur very excited to visit the famed cocktail Shangri-La known as Nepenthe. The place is amazing. It was a positively gorgeous day in July- probably one of the best days all year for the California coast- and we didn't ever want to leave. We soaked in the sun and ogled the gorgeous coastline as we sipped our cocktails.
The views are simply amazing. There is a "bar" that runs the length of the patio and you sit facing the ocean with beautiful oak trees growing up from the slope. We were entertained by a Steller's jay that apparently had a bit of a substance abuse problem, because it kept stealing the Sweet 'n' Low packets and flying off with them, which we found hilarious. Easily amused, I guess.

The bartenders are friendly and witty and they make great drinks. And there is a sense of community there- you all look at each other and you're thinking, "Is this really happening?" As far as I am concerned Nepenthe is a must-see on the Big Sur coast- particularly if it's a beautiful sunny day.

OK, I know Big Sur is a beautiful place and there aren't many places to stay. But still- when I pay over $100 a night for a hotel room, I expect there to be a shower with no spiders, no musty smells, and at LEAST no cracks in the walls. If that is what you look for as well, you won't find it here. We stayed in Edy's Room, creepily named after a nice old lady who has gone on to meet her maker, and you can't help but wonder if this is the room in which she did so. I mean, there is an ode to her on the wall... eek.
On top of that, the place was freezing, no fireplace or anything, the bathroom was, pardon my language, a s--thole, and the cracks in the walls were so big you could feel the wind coming in. Sorry. The charm is not enough to impress me. I will stay here for Nepenthe... but only because it's marginally better than a tent.

I have visited a lot of hospitals. Mostly for my dad, but also for myself. And I highly recommend Sutter General for cardiac issues.

Out of all the hospitals in the Sacramento area, this is the one that smells least like hospital. And the staff all seem to share a level of professionalism and personal care that I have rarely seen in any hospital anywhere.

We spent our time in the ICU, which is one of the least pleasant places to spend time in a hospital. It's where a lot of dying happens. I am so, so happy to say that we walked my dad out of here on Wednesday none the worse for wear, thanks to the amazing cardiologists and nurses they have here on staff.

12 hours earlier, the ER doc at Sutter General told my dad, "Sir, you are having a heart attack". Actually, he wasn't. He had some symptoms, risk factors and dangerously elevated blood pressure, but no heart attack. The excellent cardiologists at Memorial were sharp, timely, calm, and informed. They were able to report within 20 minutes of my dad coming in the doors that there was no heart attack. And they all display a level of care that really goes the extra mile. When you jolt awake at 12:30 am to the words "Dad's having a heart attack" and drive 80 miles in the middle of the night so you can be there, that kind of care makes all the difference.

Ok, true story. I have always hated competitive sports. Ever since I was a little kid. I hated baseball because even though you are part of a team, everyone knows when you screw up. Tennis, you're out there all alone being judged by hundreds of people. I used to cry in the girls' restroom after Steal the Bacon. (seriously.)
Problem was, my dad really, really wanted me to become a tennis pro. I mean there might as well have been a Send Kristen to Wimbledon fund straight from his paycheck. After all that, it just didn't catch on. And I don't generally hang on to something my heart isn't into.
So I stopped playing and spent freshman year of high school without a sport. As you all know that's when peer pressure starts to kick in and it  did for me, sure enough I was in trouble and basically grounded for the remainder of high school. A veritable death sentence for any kid. Then one day here I am struggling through Algebra I and my friend Lo comes up and hands me an announcement. "Join Oakland Strokes Crew" it said. Hmm. Get in a boat, on real water, and be on a team with a bunch of kids from all over-- not just the rich kids from the stuck-up vanilla town I felt so isolated from? Sign--me--up.
Long story short, I fell in love with the sport, stayed with it throughout high school, made some amazing friends and ended up with the Ed Lickiss award for 1999 (see website).
And got into Berkeley.

If you're a parent with a kid in high school, tell them about Oakland Strokes. It is the healthiest thing a kid can do, whether you're from a privileged school or a disadvantaged school. Anyone can row, as long as you can swim and commit (5 am 3 days a week... that'll teach ya some discipline!) and to work as hard as any athlete can. Lifetime friendships, extraordinary coaches, and improved perspective on life are guaranteed.

Membership- $940/year (there is a scholarship fund)
Gear- $200
Working harder than any guy on the high school football team and learning how much more there is to life than high school-- Priceless.

Full disclosure: I worked here throughout high school and part of college. It was the combination of working at Casa and doing crew that got me through high school. When I got into Berkeley, we threw a party here and all my coworkers and the regulars were there to give me high fives. It was a Cheers moment. While I have fond memories that might bias my opinion, I have also tried virtually everything they serve, and they run a tight (and consistent) ship.
The basic idea is American-style, highly fattening real food of gigantic proportions. I mean I have rarely finished a plate. And I would work from 4 to 12 straight and then wolf down a meal if I was lucky enough to get time to eat. I have never disliked anything I have eaten here, and you definitely get what you pay for. The cocktails are expensive but there is enough booze in there to compensate.
The servers here are long term. Most of the people I worked with are still there and I worked there more than 10 years ago. They are wonderful folks and they care so much about their regulars that we actually put a plaque on one man's favorite seat at the bar when he passed away.
The decor- well you will not find this anywhere else. It's so tacky it's cool, and it's all authentic. I think if you can spend four years working at a place and still love it, it's gotta be great.

It was my birthday; as usual, an occasion for great celebration utilizing excessive quantities of alcohol, as my family is wont to do.
My folks used to go to Citron way back in the day and wanted to revisit, and I gladly obliged. The moment we entered it felt like we were home- Tyler, the wonderful manager, greeted us and our silly piles of gifts with ease and kept us company throughout the night. The waitstaff were attentive and friendly and the food was stellar. It's a small, intimate place and this particular Sunday night was slow, and apparently Tyler was sufficiently amused by our antics to hang around and laugh with us as we grew progressively more giggly and rowdy. He laughed with us and made us feel totally at ease. That to me is worth more than the best food or most expensive wine.
To top it all off, my mother brought so many little gifts, and I drank so much wine, that I forgot an entire bag and had to come back in a few days later and pick it up. Though I intended to stay only a few minutes, Tyler was there and remembered my crazy family, reiterated how much fun he had with us, and sat me down at the bar to regale me with details of the lovely wines they carry. I then was joined at the bar by three gentlemen who work for a wine distributor, who proceeded to include me, along with Tyler, in the offerings of their latest products. You can't make this up, right? So I am a Citron fan for life. I guess I have my crazy fam to thank for that.

The people here are very nice and pleasant to work with, and they are FAST. They also do mobile and if it had not been raining for the past 4 days I could have had my windshield installed on the street in front of me office.
It took them less than 40 minutes to install a new windshield for me on a Saturday morning. I had tried in vain to repair a 1 inch crack, a gift from the 880, with one of those auto store DIY kits. A word to the wise: I skillfully managed to turn a 1 inch crack into a 5 inch crack dutifully following the directions on the package. S**t!

The new windshield isn't perfect; I think the installation process left the shading pattern at the top a bit smeared, and there were pieces of dried sealant on my dash when I got in. But for a brand new shiny windshield for $250 I am not going to be picky.

My first impression of this place was great. We sat down next to a wonderful couple who ended up offering us 3/4 of a 750 ml bottle of Trappist Achel worth $20, which we gladly accepted. I guess they had ordered it not realizing it was four servings of 9% beer (not a problem for me, but I can certainly understand that others have a less frightening alcohol tolerance). A very good way to start of the evening.

The menu could use expansion but I think the owners are trying to get their feet on the ground before going all out, which I can certainly understand. The place could also use a source of warmth such as a fake fireplace or woodstove... it was chilly in there. It's definitely a place to go for the beer menu, not the food. They offer a few main dishes and some yummy starters. We had the garlic-tomato mussels (5 stars), fish stew (4 stars), and Niman burger (4 stars). It's good food, and when you consider the alternative (going to the Trappist where there is only cheese, and Tamarindo next door which is always full) it's quite a nice package. The beer list is quite impressive, and they often carry four or five beers from one brewer. They have a lost of North Coast and Russian River brews as well as the standard (and not-so-standard) Belgians from all over the place. Our second try was the Delerium Nocturnum, also a fantastic beer but not a dinner beer- too citrusy. It was like a beer cocktail, and would be a good starter.

We will definitely be bringing all our pals here- and if I ever run into the nice couple who gave us the Achel- next one's on me!