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"the buffet assassin"
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Review votes:
150 Useful, 45 Funny, and 76 Cool
Hayward, CA
Yelping SinceSeptember 2006
Find Me InAll over the Bay Area
My HometownOrange, CA
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm cooking, baking ... or working
The Last Great Book I ReadConfessions of an Ugly Stepsister
My First ConcertAlicia Keyes
My Favorite MovieSerendipity,Gladiator,LOT R,Glory,300,Chocolat,Meet Joe Black,Inside Man
My Last Meal On EarthA medium rare prime rib from House of Prime Rib
DateSan Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 342-5990
America's Place
Categories: American (Traditional), Italian, Mexican
The decor is very nice - not the usual cheap tables and chairs, but actually furniture you'd see at normal restaurants. I have to admit though that the help is a little fast and pushy, not unlike most Vietnamese restaurants. But if you get the owner or the owner's daughter (I assume?) they are very nice and efficient.
Since they have such a big space they don't rush you to leave after you're done with your food. I hope this place lasts a long time - this space has seen many restaurants come and go since I moved to Hayward a few years back. So I hope this one stays!
They have a great selection of furniture, much more than most CostCos I've been to. Their staff is efficient - the lines never take very long to get through and the return line doesn't take incredibly long to get to the front of even if it's out the door.
Never have trouble finding parking and the gas station seems to never have more than 2-3 cars waiting in line. Everything here seems to be better than other Costcos in the area - love it! Take a gander when you have the time!
Although the space is well laid out - it could use some additional seating. Because of the tendency for it to get crowded, especially on the weekends and after work hours, and sometimes even the workers, I would much rather go to my local Starbucks in Hayward. Love them!
New York, NY 10002
(212) 995-1960
Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery
Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
This time around I thought the same about the pumpkin cupcake - it's a little on the sweet side, but moist and dense like carrot cake. The stawberry, like before, was really good with strawberries melting into the cake batter.
This time we also tried the pistachio cupcake which was awesome. The subtle nutty flavors of the cake are well accentuated by the "moose" frosting. And the lemon yummy was mm mm delish albeit a little more lemon-flavored, sour, than I thought it would be for a cupcake. Not sure if that's good or bad. But if you like lemon, you'll like this cupcake.
Can't wait to come back to try the rest! For $1.50 each it's actually a New York treat I can afford!
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6/18/2009
Service here was okay if not a little borderline impatient. There was probably two or three people behind me and despite the fact that they weren't screaming in my face to hurry up (like some of my experiences in Chinatown, not that this compares), the guy at the counter definitely wasn't serving me with a smile that's for sure. So that started off my experience in this tiny little cupcakery with 3 stars.
I get the cupcakes, one strawberry, one spiced pumpkin, and one red velvet. Each cupcake was a medium size, probably comparable to Buttercup and was $1.50 each. The strawberry cupcake (despite the fact that we dropped 1/4 of it on the ground...and it was the best part, the crust and frosting) was pretty good. Subtle flavors, not too sweet, but it was a little heavy on the sugar and thickness of the frosting. So maybe dropping it on the ground and sharing with the local sparrows wasn't so bad after all. The spiced pumpkin on the other hand was a little more on the unsatisfactory side. It's not that it was horrible but it wasn't that it wasn't worth $1.50 but it just tasted like any other carrot cake would with heavy frosting on top. The red velvet cupcake was even more disappointing. Granted they have different "types" of red velvet we chose the only one I saw which had a white topping. Boy did I choose wrong. Apparently what I expected to be a cream cheese frosting like most places have for red velvets, it was some concoction of whipped cream. It just wasn't good and the cream didn't stand up to the cake.
So despite its affordable prices I don't think I'd come back for another experience.
New York, NY 10009
(212) 777-4425
Mama's Food Shop
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: East Village
This time in addition to the mashed potatoes and mac n' cheese which were both still fantastic just like last time, we also ordered the brussel sprouts and the butternut squash with pomegranate. The butternut squash, if you like them, were tasty, sweet but not overly, and soft. The brussel sprouts though were overcooked, the leaves were tough, and they were super strong. I usually like my veggies and brussel sprouts are no exception but I would stay clear of these. With that said I'm looking forward to coming back to try my next few combos!
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6/18/2009
So nice! Hole in the wall restaurant, which is the type we love to visit. From the second you walk in you feel like you've been dropped into someone's house, just with a room set up with about 5 big tables for guests to munch at. You're led to another small room with one more table and a little cafeteria-like set up with this happy, calm, Bohemian-looking guy behind the counter.
They didn't actually have a menu up for all eyes to see -- they just had a chalkboard up that said meat + 1 side $11.95, meat + 2 sides $13.01 (I think that's what it said). The sides were all displayed except for the mac n' cheese & mashed potatoes which were on the back counter. Good thing we saw those because we ordered those and yummo!
So we got two plates. One with fried chicken and 2 sides, mac n' cheese and mashed potatoes. The friend chicken was crispy and the meat was juicy. What surprised me the most was that the chicken breast was actually juicier than all the rest! It was perfectly seasoned, still crunchy, and just really well done. The mac n' cheese was a touch on the salty side for me but my companion thought it was the bomb -- there was obvious garlic or garlic salt in it and after eating a couple bites the saltiness went away and it just tasted ever so delicious! The mashed potatoes were a little of a disappointment -- they were creamy for sure but they didn't have much flavor to them. Probably needed more salt and papper, if roasted garlic were added it'd definitely be a big hit.
The other plate we got was the bacon wrapped meatloaf plus a side of basil and herb couscous. The bacon wrapped meatloaf with gravy was a touch on the salty side but it was tasty. The meat was moist, the bacon gave it a great smoky flavor, and all in all it was well seasoned, after the first initial salty bite. With the mashed potatoes it would've been the perfect combination. With the couscous, which turned out to be a cold side dish, it was okay. The couscous was okay -- there were a couple herbs in there that really surprised my taste buds and not in a good way, but overall it was worth the try.
Next time though I intend on getting another option, probably a green side, assuming that we already have mac n' cheese on at least one plate. I'd definitely come back, it was homey, warm, and everyone in there, help and patrons included, were super friendly and down to earth. Loved it!
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-8018
Kurve - CLOSED
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: East Village
The decor is like someone truly tried to be mod and contemporary and failed miserably. Every single time we pass by this restaurant from the outside our first thought is, "What the..." The curved windows, completely transparent, open for all to see. Recently they've improved their look and covered up most of their windows to allow diners at least some bit of privacy. The furniture tries to be mod but fails, partly because it feels like it tries too hard, and partly because they've stopped trying to upkeep everything so all chairs and tables are scuffed and worn -- pretty opposite of modern chic.
But it was the food that pushed it over the edge. We went for the $7.95 lunch buffet from 11-4pm, a special that debuted a week or so ago. Sadly it was pretty obvious that some, if not most of the food in the trays were made from leftovers. They had fried rice, white rice, a soup, spring roll (which was the only really good, fresh thing), eggplant, green chicken curry, vegetarian red curry (a bit spicy), and a few other things. No noodle dishes besides a chow-mein type of dish. Their fruit was delish though -- very sweet and fresh.
Unfortunately at the end of the meal I wasn't feeling so well. So considering how greasy, heavy, and overcooked everything tasted plus the sickness the meal brought on killed the restaurant for me, even for $7.95.
New York, NY 10003
May Chan Ramen and Robatayaki
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: East Village
Food though was disappointing. The appetizers were okay. The only appetizer that I would order again would be the chicken wings, which were spicy and crunchy covered with a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce. The gyozas were okay, a good size but not crunchy and nothing special. The ramen though was the biggest disappointment. The noodles were cooked to less than al dente and were somewhat rubbery. There was very little meat and what was in there wasn't very tasty, the only thing was on the better side was the half egg. In the end I might come back for the appetizers if I had a huge craving or if they were having a special but I wouldn't come back for the ramen. With all the ramen variety in the area I'd try an old fave or try another new place before coming back to this restaurant.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 725-1333
Ichi Umi
Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Buffets
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
We had a fantabulous waiter who always made sure we had water, had a "trash" plate, and was always cracking a joke or a smile (not in a sleazy or uncomfortable way). We went on a Wednesday @ 8pm and I was worried from another review that they would no longer be refreshing the food items. But there were tons of people still waiting for seats and the restaurant was still filled to the brim. They continued to refill the items without fail until about 9:35pm -- the waiter was nice enough to come on by to warn us 5 mins before they stopped restocking.
What do they have on a Wednesday night you ask? Here is just a sampling (Asterik'd means I liked!)
At least 20 varieties of Sushi, even a sweet sushi with kiwi & bananas... not recommended.
Nigiri: Yellowtail, Tuna, Mackerel, Octupus, Unagi, Tilapia, Salmon
Sashimi: Yellowtail*, Tuna, Salmon, White Tuna, Red Snapper, Clam*, Shrimp, Octupus
Raw Foods (non-fish): Louisiana oysters, Korean oysters, Pacific oysters, Blue point oysters*, Clams (they were shucked and put out on ice on the spot),
Cold Items: Crab legs, Cocktail Shrimp, Seaweed, Asparagus, Beef wrapped alfalfa, Tuna wrapped alfalfa, Caesar salad, Spinach salad, Edamame, Jellyfish, Cold tofu, Stuffed Mussels, Mushrooms
Dish Items (served in small dishes): Uni, Seaweed salad, Bean sprout salad, Tuna tartar, Salmon tartar, Flying fish roe, Salmon roe
Stations: Udon, Ramen (variety), Crepes (sweet)*, BBQ (salmon, mackerel, couple yakitori)
Warm/Hot Foods: Teriyaki (beef*, chicken), Ichi Umi seasoned crab*, Shrimp tempura, Veggie tempura, Soft shell crab tempura, Stuffed clams, Tofu, Huge portions of sea bass, Whole blue fish, Butter fish, Rock cod, Stewed conch, Fried rice, Calamari (stewed)
Soups: Crab & Miso
Desserts: Red bean ice cream*, Green tea ice cream*, Cheesecake, Chocolates*, Blueberry cream, Blueberry cake, Mango cake, Cream puffs, Fruit tart, Pineapple tart, Chocolate chip cookies, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon, Grapes, Pineapple, Apples
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The only criticism I have is that they should have a better dessert section and they need more really hot items, not just warm items -- the only truly hot item was their limited selection of soggy gyozas in a hot bin. I ate about 5 of those just because I relished the temperature of the potstickers. I'd definitely go back... but not for a while :) I can't say I don't look 5 months pregnant.
I was most interested in the first floor though. The first large painting that you see once you enter to your left is so well illuminated and so beautifully painted that it just jumps out at you like a moment in time. The colors are so vivid and the characters in the painting seem to be in motion, it is that mesmerizing. The garden, though it was closed when we were there, looked to be very peaceful and a great place to just forget about time. But the courtyard is what got me. It is amazing. That a place like this would be in Boston. This Venetian inspired architectural masterpiece bringing a moment's peace, a moment's quiet to your life as I'm sure it did many a time its past owner. To top things off this museum is more affordable than others in NY and SF for example -- admission is $12. If you arrive half an hour before close admission's free!
There are some things that would make this experience better -- if there were actual descriptions, explanations, or something more of all the art pieces in there instead of just names. I would've liked to know why Mrs. Isabella Gardner found such joy and such passion in these artworks compared to others, what these paintings meant historically and currently. Some information posted around about Mrs. Gardner herself would also have been helpful and given a foundation for understanding the mish-mash of artwork and her obsession with chairs. It's hard to imagine someone living like that, in a place that was essentially a museum from the start, but this place is truly amazing.
So chicken parmigiana, my sister said the spaghetti was really good. The noodles were more fettucine than spaghetti but it looked to be fresh, not the boxed, dried kind. The chicken parmigiana was tender, so all in all Italian did well.
My brother in law got the chicken BBQ sandwich which came out super hot - way too hot to eat like a normal sandwich. He had no comment, which essentially means it was meh.
I got the pupusa combo, which I was really excited to try because of the raves I've seen on Yelp... disappointed to no end. These pupusas were nowhere close to the quality and taste as the ones I've eaten in Belize. And yes I may have to remember that we're not in Belize, we're in San Mateo, but still I thought it would be better. There was no crunch and the stuffing was a bit hard and chewy. All in all there wasn't much flavor besides the cheese and I could taste very little pork (I got the combo stuffing). The tamale (I'm not really a fan of tamales though in the first place) were okay - the chicken was a bit rubbery and stringy. And I made the mistake of asking for a savory banana fried thing.
Service though was really great - our waitress was super nice and it felt like a cozy place despite the little flies that kept hovering in the corner, which was the corner we sat in.
I'd like to come back to try their other items but won't be itching to go back any time soon.