Desiree V.'s Profile

Having been recently abandoned by my longtime hairstylist, I was on the lookout for a new stylist, getting various cheap cuts when I was in dire straits and in need of a trim. I had researched a bunch of stylists on Yelp and decided to go with Acme, specifically Lindsay.

Going to a new stylist can be nerve-wracking for me, so I was nervous, but hopeful that Lindsay would be able to understand my needs for my hair (something easy, something that would work with the texture of my hair, something I could wash and wear because I am a busy grad student, but also something that would look decent and put together).

That was a mighty tall order.

And Lindsay filled that order and then some.

She was very professional and yet friendly all at once. We went over my hair ideas and she suggested some different ideas that could work with my awkward hair length (right at the shoulders, ugh). After a lovely shampoo, Lindsay went to work on my hair, giving me a layered cut that works with my natural waves and cut a little of the length off, too.

Lindsay offered to style it straight or curly and I opted for curly. She showed me how to bring out the waves and curls in my hair while combating the frizz that can come about through too much handling and walking around in the fog banks in SF. She twisted my hair into ringlets and dried it with a diffuser. It looked fantastic! I was very happy with the style and its low-maintenance qualities.

I left feeling very happy with my experience and confident that I could redo the style with similar results. I would love to come back and see Lindsay for color and cuts.

Just a note about the hair salon itself: it is a very breezy and open space. The elevator takes you right up to the salon itself and you are thrust into the space. I loved the decor! I also picked up some Davines products, but they also carry a few other lines as well.

Amazing service, friendly staff!

I took a ring in to be sized and they went above and beyond to get it to me before I had to leave for a trip. It was total short notice and they got it done ridiculously fast!

Love to support the local businesses!

No.
I don't get it. I went there on a Saturday around 1PM and was met with a line in the small entrance. "Ok", I thought, "Good sign." I was with my guy and we waited for about 15 minutes before some of the tables were ready. Not a problem.

I was impressed with their menu and picked an avocado and mushroom omelet. My boyfriend ordered a New York scramble (lox and onion). I got a fresh-baked blueberry muffin and it was quite good. I really loved it. I wish I could say the same for my "omelet." It was more like a scramble. It was not shaped like an omelet at all! The eggs were broken up. I was not pleased. The slices of avocado and mushroom were flavorless and the hash browns I ordered were mushy. Not good.

My boyfriend was not very happy with his scramble. How do you mess up a scramble? How about not very well-cooked eggs and funky looking lox and onions?

I give it two stars only for the awesome blueberry muffins.
I will go back to try something from their lunch menu, but I will more than likely never order eggs there again.

I seriously have no idea why this place is getting 5 stars from people. They must be locals who have no idea what a good brunch is supposed to taste like!

We had breakfast at the Portola Plaza Hotel the next morning and it was loads better than this cafe!

It's fresh sourdough bread that is made by what I can only assume are the gods and goddesses of baked goods themselves.

Perfect as French Toast.
Grilled Cheese.
Soup Sopper.
Toast.
Or just untoasted slathered in butter.

Go nowhere else. This is sourdough made by the GODS.

I love that this place is close to home so I don't have to wade through the tourists downtown or at the Marina.
If you get bad service, it's karma.

All I can say is that their hummus, baba ganoush, and tabouli are all amazingly mouthwatering. Deliciousness.

Their falafel, baklava and vegetarian dolmas are wonderful, too.

I highly recommend the Twilight Special: fava beans on top of a pile of delicious hummus, dressed with olive oil, lemon and some paprika.
Heaven. Just slurp it up with the warm pita they give to you.

All of you punks who cannot hang with the awesomeness that is the Twilight Cafe got problems.

I was at a loss of where to get my hair done in the Richmond, so I turned to Yelp for help. I looked over the reviews and decided to go with Benson at Artistry Hair. I made an appointment with Benson over the phone. He was very brisk on the phone, but I assumed it was because he was busy. As it turns out, it seems that he is the one who answers his own phones during the day. So, he juggles making appointments with cutting hair. Not an easy task, but he accomplishes both with ease.

While Benson admitted that his English is not the best, he was still great at communicating with me during my hair cut. I went in for a simple cut, a hybrid between an a-line and a bob. I showed him a bunch of pictures and after he spent some time assessing my hair, Benson went to work.

He is truly an artist. His focus throughout the cut was amazing. I really appreciated his attention to detail. Benson stated that he did not make the cut "perfect" because I mentioned I wanted something I could wash and wear. If I was willing to blow it dry every day, I think he would have cut it a bit differently. He gave me exactly what I wanted and I appreciate that.

About 5 days after I got the cut done, I got it blown dry at another place in Los Angeles and the cut held up and looked awesome. I have to admit the way Benson styled it when he cut it was a million times better than the blow dry I had in Los Angeles.

And this is why I will go back to Benson for any of my hair styling needs. He is an artist and does amazing work. I have gotten tons of compliments even when I style it myself.

I went in on a quiet Monday afternoon and both of the ladies there were so friendly and awesome. I don't know their names because I forgot to ask, but one does waxing and nails and the other does nails.

I got an eyebrow and a lip wax. My brows look amazing. They were shaped and not made too thin. Wonderful job. I will definitely go back when I need them waxed again.

My pedicure was very nice and I had a nice chat with the woman working on my toes. She was very friendly.

I highly recommend this place if you live in the area. It's the best spot I have been to in the Inner Richmond. It isn't very fancy, but it is clean, the services are reasonable and well done and the two ladies are lovely.

Wonderful atmosphere, lovely staff and delicious food for a reasonable price.

Their omelettes are varied and perfectly done. I adore this place because it is comfortable and homey.

While this place is your run-of-the-mill Japanese restaurant, it is still a great place to frequent. I have had great rolls and mediocre rolls when I have been here. I have had hurriedly prepared food when I have come in after 9:30PM and I have had awesomely prepared food when I have come in during usual business hours. This is entirely understandable because when you are a half-hour away from closing, the last thing you want to do is work. That's life.
I love the Sabayaki here. It is delicious. Much better than the Sabayaki I had at Kitaro. Not that Kitaro is the end all and be all of Japanese in the city, but there you go. The portions are very big. The tempura is well done and I love that they have Agedashi Tofu on the menu. Their rolls are good and I love the dinner bento specials. They have so many great combos and choices that is hard to pick what to have. I love their little cucumber salads dressed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds!
The wait staff has always been friendly and attentive. Again, if you go in right before closing, I am sure it is a different experience. Also, the food comes in a timely manner. I am not sure how fast people want their food prepared, but it takes time to cook and I would rather have food that is cooked well than have it rushed to my table.
So, yes. This is a good place to go before or after a movie at the Balboa Theatre and while the food is not amazing, it is definitely delicious and satisfying. It's become a regular habit for me and my partner because the food is good, prices reasonable and they have some nice booths.

Being a native to Los Angeles and having frequented the older movie theaters in Hollywood, I have to say that I love going to the Balboa because it reminds me of those types of theaters that are in Hollywood and the Fairfax district in Los Angeles.

Of course it cannot compete with the gorgeous Castro theater, but I love the Balboa more because it is run by people who love movies. I appreciate that. Their popcorn is delicious.

If you sign up for their email newsletter, you get weekly updated showtimes and it is great inspiration for a weekend activity.

You gotta love the old neon sign in the front!