Edward M.'s Profile

I should preface this review by saying I waited THREE WEEKS to write this review . . . and I am still bitter over my experience at the over-hyped Grazie Grille.

Those who follow my reviews know that I give careful consideration to what I post, as I am a strong believer that these reviews will influence someone looking to make a decision on where to spend an evening. I struggled with whether I should keep this review long or short, but my experience was so horrible, I fully intend to protect the wallets of those still deciding if Grazie Grille will be their destination this weekend.

Located in "The Streets of Brentwood", Grazie Grille is all fluff and no substance. A lot of money was spent on the building, but there is no character. The design overshadows the dining experience, and does feel like a 'mini-Cheesecake Factory' as other reviewers have pointed out. (WARNING: The bright neon floor is very slick and could be an issue during the rainy season).

The evening started as expected. I had a reservation for my Fiancé and I and upon arrival, we were greeted by a gentleman (remember this for later) and seated promptly in our desired location by a Host. That was the high point of our evening at Grazie Grille.

Before I get into the low points of the evening, I must vent for a moment. For a restaurant trying to position itself as a "destination" in the heart of an emerging wine region, the wine list is pathetic! I know for a fact that the wineries in and around Brentwood would love to have their wines on the menu. Grazie Grille should be jumping on the chance to showcase these great wines, as do other great restaurants in Brentwood. But moving on . . .

The evening started going downhill when I ordered a glass of red wine. Not only was it served chilled, it was served in a dirty glass pre-stamped with ruby red lips! Yes, you read that correctly - my wine arrived at the table in a dirty glass with lipstick. I waited for our waiter but he never returned after taking our order (he was only seen three times all night - greeting, ordering, and collecting the bill). I had to get up and ask the bartender for a new glass. No apology, no complimentary glass - nothing but laughter. This is the not the attitude of a business that places the customers first.

Now again, I must vent. This time about the menu. This place has a serious identity crisis. It is not Italian as it is marketed, it is more Bar and Grill food at inflated prices. Again, moving on . . .

We ordered Pizza and a Burger. After waiting nearly thirty minutes, it arrived at our table . . . ICE COLD! Not cool or luke warm - ICE COLD!! It was seriously gross to eat a cold burger and fries. The really disappointing aspect of the night was that our waiter never came back to the table until he came to deliver the bill. He looked surprised when our plates were still full, and really didn't care when we told him why we didn't eat our food. In fact, he had that "it wasn't my fault" attitude. At this point, I was a incredibly shocked at our experience and I didn't know what to do. I paid, I actually paid our bill (nearly $50, including a respectful tip), and we left.

As I approached the car, it hit me! I was so ANGRY over the experience, and the fact that I just paid $50 to be treated like garbage, I marched back into the restaurant looking for the manager. Remember the gentleman standing at the front door when we arrived? Turns out he was the OWNER of Grazie Grille - the OWNER!

Now to vent again. The OWNER of Grazie Grille stood at the front door all night, on a busy Saturday night, while his restaurant was falling apart behind him. Unlike the owners of other great Brentwood restaurants, he didn't visit the bar, kitchen, or a single table all night to check the pulse of his restaurant. But anyways . . .

I started my conversation by stating I was very angry but would vent in a respectful manner without disrespecting his business. He let me speak . . . and that was the end of the conversation. As I experienced earlier in the night, no apology or anything.  

As I reflect back on the evening, I'm not really sure what I expected to have happen after I complained. My biggest mistake was that I actually paid the bill. I was, and still am, shocked at the manner in which Grazie Grille treats its customers. It's very much a "get them in, get them out" mentality.

In the economic environment we live in today, I cannot recommend Grazie Grille. Even in an area with limited dining choices as Brentwood is, there are too many other restaurants waiting to treat you and your family to a wonderful evening.

If you want some real authentic Italian food, Angelina's is the place to go! Don't let their Stockton location scare you, Angelina's has a private parking lot with an armed security guard. This place was built when Stockton was a growing and thriving community and one of a few businesses still maintaining a popular following in Stockton.

I've eaten here many times, and always receive the same dependable meal and service. The raviolis are superb and not to be missed! I also recommend the tri-tip dinner for two (available Friday-Sunday). For $32, you receive 20oz of tri-tip, two servings of any pasta on their menu, vegetables, and soup or salad. Go on a Saturday night and receive antipasto too!

For those of you with a sweet tooth, you may want to try their newly created chocolate raviolis for dessert . . .

Home of the Okie Taco! A taco so big, you'll need two hands to eat it . . .

Whether getting ready to launch your boat, heading out to fish, or just hanging out, Orwood is a great choice for your delta dining! Cheap, good food says it all. Burgers, sandwiches, and salads make up most of the menu. A wide variety of choices makes Orwood a crowd favorite during the summer - with a full bar and outdoor seating, you better be prepared for crowds.

If you want the full Orwood experience, I recommend the Okie Taco!

Breathtaking! What an incredible dining experience!!

My Fiance and I came stumbled upon this restaurant during a recent trip into San Francisco. I had previously heard about Scoma's through various blogs, news articles, etc but had never ventured on to try it. As we docked from our bay cruise, our stomachs started to talk and we went searching for dinner. After speaking with a few locals on the street, they each RAVED about Scoma's! We took the bait . . .

Tucked behind every other restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf lays Scoma's, which is actually on a receiving dock. We didn't let looks fool us, the reviews we heard we too incredible to miss. Any place with raves of this magnitude is bound to have a wait, and our experience was no exception. We sat in one of their three bars, where we were served a couple of the best drinks of our lives! A perfectly created Mojito and an excellent Old Fashioned.

The time (30 minutes) passed quickly as the crowds began to swarm. We discovered this is a very popular destination with locals! We moved upstairs into a comfy booth with, as you could expect, glorious views of the SF Bay. I couldn't begin to tell you how many people worked at this restaurant! Each person had a specific duty, whether just pouring water, setting the table, bringing bread, serving drinks, busing, etc. The service at Scoma's is EXCELLENT! You will have a difficult time finding better service anywhere.

Our waiter, and any of the waiters we saw, was extremely professional and knowledge about the dishes, preparation, and ingredients served. Scoma's only uses local produce and wild-caught seafood. This dedication to quality is reflected in their prices, which are extremely high. Several dishes pushed $50 but most seemed to fit the $30 - $40 range. We were warned about this by folks we chatted with but I was on a date with my Fiance, celebrating seven years together, and had saved up for months for the day - she deserved the best and she certainly received it!

We each opted for Scoma's "Triple Play" menu. A daily menu featuring chef creations with the best of their available ingredients. For only $39.99, you received an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Here is what we enjoyed: (My Fiance) Roasted Butternut Squash and Dungeness Crab Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds & Creme Fraiche Garnish, Broiled Colossal Prawns on Linguine Pomodoro with Pesto, and a Walnut Brownie & Triple Espresso Ice Cream with Caramel Sauce. (Me) Lobster Bisque with Lobster Salad and Chive Aioli, Broiled Wild Swordfish with Sicilian White Beans, Pancetta, Tomatoes & Organic Rainbow Chard, and a Tiramisu & Sourdough Bread Pudding Duo.  

I could go on and on about each dish but you'd be here for the next 20 minutes reading when you could be in the car on your way to Scoma's to try it yourself! I will tell you each dish was beautifully presented, with the perfect marriage of flavors and seasonings. The chefs at Scoma's have a magic touch - this food simply melts in your mouth!

If you are looking for the perfect culinary experience, complete with friendly, professional, and knowledgeable service and savory sensations you'll be raving about for weeks, Scoma's is where you want to be . . .

Simply Amazing! Upon each visit to Pier 39, I grab a bag of these tasty treats to munch on while strolling through the shops. I first tasted one of these sweet and soft donuts in 1994 - the taste remains unchanged here in 2010! Prices are sweet too - starting at $2.50 for a small bag and topping out at $9.99 for 36 donuts in a souvenir bucket.

As soon as the donuts roll out of their oil, they're picked up, placed in a bag, covered in a cinnamon/sugar mixture, and handed to you. No donut EVER sits on a tray, this place is simply to busy! Every bag (or now bucket) of mini donuts is served hot and fresh . . .

Since moving to California in 1994, Boudin's has held a special place in my heart. For years, my family would take Sunday trips into San Francisco just to enjoy a bowl of clam chowder and each-others company. I've seen Boudin's go from their small shop on Pier 39 to a thriving experience. With multiple locations throughout the bay area, Boudin's is a taste many have experienced.

About five years ago, Boudin's opened a Bakery & Cafe in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf (in addition to the stand that popped up a few years before that). Unlike the locations on Pier 39 or down the street on the wharf, the Bakery & Cafe offers a complete culinary experience. You can come for the clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, but you'll end up experiencing much more!

On my latest journey into San Francisco, I bought my Fiance for her first "Boudin's Experience". We each ordered a petite sourdough bowl filled with the BEST clam chowder you'll ever taste. Why petite? Well, a regular bowl is HUGE! It's the size you'll see people eating along the wharf and the size few can finish. Also, we went to experience the other culinary goodies Boudin's is creating . . .

We munched on shoestring garlic fries, seasoned to perfection! Different than the ballpark garlic fries, in that they're not covered in minced garlic but rather tossed in very small pieces of roasted garlic and olive oil. We enjoyed mussels, paired with some Buena Vista Chardonnay (a new partnership between Buena Vista and Boudin's appears to be in the works, tasting room opens May 2010). Mussels were very tasty but the serving size was enormous! It also came with garlic sourdough bread. We asked the chef to prepare us a condensed version of their Crab Mac'n Cheese! They were very accommodating and presented us with some of the best Mac'n Cheese we've ever tasted. Adding the crab put this dish over the top!

We ate outside, enjoying spectacular views of Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf. After dinner, we took a tour of the bakery - a $3 experience which comes FREE with your meal. Learned a great deal about sourdough and the history of Boudin's.

This should be a five star review, simply based on food, service, and experience. The only thing preventing such are the prices, which tend to be a bit on the high side. With so many other dining options in the area, Boudin's should continue to focus on what made them great in their early days - family. I'd love to see Boudin's tone down the wine-tasting and deep culinary offerings and instead focus on family dining (more accessible pricing). But this is just my humble opinion and shouldn't deter anyone from giving Boudin's Bakery & Cafe a try! If not in the restaurant, certainly at any of their growing number of locations . . .

I can't tell you how many times I've been here . . . too many! Lumpy's Diner is as good as it gets for diners in East Contra Costa County. Tasty food, great service, and low prices! I've been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on the weekends and during the week. Great diner vibe and mixed crowds (families, couples, seniors, bikers, high schoolers, etc). Some of the best burgers in the area!

Commuter who skips breakfast often? I recommend stopping in for a coffee and breakfast sandwich. Best $5 of your day! If you have a few extra minutes, grab a cinnamon roll too . . .

This review is for the West Side Club . . . I've eaten here twice over the past few seasons, most recently on April 15, 2010. The views and service are great; however, the food and price is not. Between both times my Fiance and I have eaten here, we've enjoyed: chili dog, fish tacos, hamburger, and prime rib dip sandwich. Neither dish was all that great, especially to justify the increased markup in price over food on the concourse. We wanted to give it another chance after a poor culinary experience from a few seasons ago but our latest journey up to the West Side Club tasted the same as it did the last time.

Stick to the basics on the concourse, tailgate, or bring your own food into the park . . .

After hearing repeated raves from folks, I ventured on over to Mike's Beef 'N Brew . . . I really wish I hadn't.

Where do I start?! Well, I walked in at 2pm on a lazy Saturday afternoon. There may have been about fifteen or so people in the whole place. I waited for a few minutes for someone to seat me. Then, a few more minutes for a menu. The bartender came over and I ordered a Coke, which she brought back quickly. I placed my order only to discover (another few minutes later) that they were sold-out of Prime Rib Sandwiches. I was ok with that - these things happen . . .

So I ordered a Mushroom Swiss Burger, it sounded good and was one of the cheaper offerings (burgers hit close to $9 each). I ordered it Medium - remember this for later.

While I waited for my food, I saw an order at the table across from mine get completely messed up! I was worried . . .

And while I continued to wait, I was trying to figure out if this place is a "bar" or "restaurant". Because if this place is a "bar", why are there four bratty teens sitting next to me talking about things they shouldn't be at their age, while grown grisly men drink the well dry at the bar. Remember, it's only about 2:15pm . . .

And if this place is a "restaurant", why does management insist on playing Lady Gaga and Brittney Spears on loop?! I mean, they should want to attract customers who have jobs, don't enjoy this "ra-ra-ra, rom-rom-rom" music, and can support the business, not old drunks and bratty teens who are too happily lazy to find jobs and support themselves. By 2:20pm, I was really confused . . .

My food finally comes out and looks bad - so bad I didn't even take a picture of it! If you follow me on Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, etc, you know I take a picture of EVERYTHING!

Let's start with the fries - did I look like a horse to them?! I mean really, only horses need to lick salt blocks, not humans!

And remember how I told you I ordered a 'medium' burger? For those of you that don't know, a 'medium' burger is slightly PINK in the middle - not BLACK! And if the MIDDLE of the burger is BLACK, you can imagine what the outside looked like . . . It wasn't pretty. My burger tasted like volcanic ash . . .

To be fair, the cheese was decent and the three mushrooms atop the burger were nicely cooked. So I guess it wasn't all bad!

Oh, before I go, you should know this experience cost me $11.30 - for a burger, fries, and coke! Come on "Mike's Beef 'N Brew", I can spend far less at countless other local restaurants and receive far better food and service. I rarely give bad reviews but just like the Starbucks across the street from here, they begged me for it. Maybe it's something in the water?!

Despite this poor experience, I will journey back (in the far future) and give these guys another shot - but in the evening. I discovered they have live music (and NEW bands every week) - an experience poorly lacking in East Contra Costa County. And to be fair, I've heard good things about this place, that's why I came to give them a try. So was this perhaps an "off day" for Mike's Beef 'N Brew, maybe, but bad experiences usually don't happen to a well run business. Have you been here too? Post your reviews after reading mine . .

This location has to be the WORST Starbucks in the country, certainly in the SF Bay Area! Aside from horrific customer service, the coffee tastes burnt, and the barista's are poorly trained. I gave this location three visits because sometimes, one experience isn't always a proper reflection of a business. I even expressed my concerns to the staff, whom shrugged them off. Rarely do I like to give a poor review but this Starbucks begged me for it! Save your wallet, taste buds, and sanity - proceed to the next location, which is only a few miles away . . .