Kimmie N.'s Profile
Date
1740 Buchanan St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-7132
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-7132
Tanpopo
Category:
Japanese
Neighborhoods: Japantown, Lower Pac Heights, Pacific Heights
2224 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 355-1500
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 355-1500
Commonwealth
Category:
American (New)
Neighborhood: Mission
Commonwealth is one of my favorite places in the city. Friendly service, bright interiors, modern but not stuffy. And the food is inventive and delicious. There are a few staples but they swap out the tasting menu and ala carte items often. And being in the Bay Area, they source local, sustainable and organic ingredients whenever possible.
Be aware that the restaurant uses progressive cooking techniques. So yes, you may end up with garnish that looks like foam on your plate. And ingredients that seem like they shouldn't be together are. If that doesn't rock your boat then grab a seat at the bar for wine and a few appetizers instead. Reservations can be hard but I find that most weeknights between 5:30-7:30pm, the bar area is empty.
My recent faves have been:
* Porcini mushrooms, corn, snap peas, smoked turnip, puffed amaranth in sheep's milk veil
* Sea urchin, asparagus, soft scrambled eggs, seaweed brioche, jalapeño, brown butter (to die for...)
* Peanut butter semifreddo, chocolate ganache, frozen popcorn, caramel
Be aware that the restaurant uses progressive cooking techniques. So yes, you may end up with garnish that looks like foam on your plate. And ingredients that seem like they shouldn't be together are. If that doesn't rock your boat then grab a seat at the bar for wine and a few appetizers instead. Reservations can be hard but I find that most weeknights between 5:30-7:30pm, the bar area is empty.
My recent faves have been:
* Porcini mushrooms, corn, snap peas, smoked turnip, puffed amaranth in sheep's milk veil
* Sea urchin, asparagus, soft scrambled eggs, seaweed brioche, jalapeño, brown butter (to die for...)
* Peanut butter semifreddo, chocolate ganache, frozen popcorn, caramel
The line is insane. But the place is tiny and from the looks of it, could use another body or two in the kitchen. It's super yummy and worth the wait if you're not starving. I've only tried the garlic pork ramen which was oh-so-flavorful. Every bowl comes with a bunch of standard ingredients (pork, quail eggs, mushrooms, etc) and you can add another two at no charge. I like to add in raw seaweed and bamboo shoots while friends enjoy corn and spicy roe. I especially loved that they had a super spicy option which ended up just being right for me.
240 Central Park S
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-5100
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-5100
Marea
Category:
Seafood
Neighborhood: Midtown West
These are the times where I want Yelp to offer half stars. Marea is good. Maybe even very good. But it's pricey and you're a long ways away from the LES, which is my preferred neighborhood. Especially in a town like NYC where fine dining places are more common than not, I prefer to go to places with a bit more..character?
But I had to come here because of friend's rave reviews about the pasta. In particular, the uni crab spaghetti. The venue is pretty and there are pretty people all around. Service is great though some of their staff can be a bit snooty. It's best to sit at the bar and people watch in my opinion. Sadly the food wasn't phenomenal. Definitely delish but not worth the trek or the price.
But I had to come here because of friend's rave reviews about the pasta. In particular, the uni crab spaghetti. The venue is pretty and there are pretty people all around. Service is great though some of their staff can be a bit snooty. It's best to sit at the bar and people watch in my opinion. Sadly the food wasn't phenomenal. Definitely delish but not worth the trek or the price.
2124 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 828-7990
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 828-7990
Saison
Categories:
French,
American (New)
Neighborhood: Mission
Lovely. And that about sums it up.
Except that this is Yelp and people love to read long posts about why so and so enjoys a place.
Fine dining is tough in this city and tough in economic times like this. And given a menu that trends mostly vegetables with the occasional meat, it's hard to justify the price point. In Saison's case, worth the experience. Built into an old farmhouse, the venue is rustic and cozy. Perfect for a date. We ordered from the a la carte menu which was surprisingly affordable. The plates are tasting sized, with delicate flavors and beautiful arragements. You may not get full off of the food but you will from the wine.
My favorites from the night: raw wild fluke, crustacean bouillon, farm egg in sabayon.
Except that this is Yelp and people love to read long posts about why so and so enjoys a place.
Fine dining is tough in this city and tough in economic times like this. And given a menu that trends mostly vegetables with the occasional meat, it's hard to justify the price point. In Saison's case, worth the experience. Built into an old farmhouse, the venue is rustic and cozy. Perfect for a date. We ordered from the a la carte menu which was surprisingly affordable. The plates are tasting sized, with delicate flavors and beautiful arragements. You may not get full off of the food but you will from the wine.
My favorites from the night: raw wild fluke, crustacean bouillon, farm egg in sabayon.
1211 Broadway Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 235-5678
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 235-5678
Rejuvalon Skin Care at Trenz Salon
Categories:
Skin Care,
Makeup Artists,
Hair Removal
While it seems like such a splurge and quite a bit of maintenance, lash extensions are the way to go these days. Now that I have them, my morning routine has never been shorter.
I was recommended to Mandy Tsai at Rejuvalon Salon by my friend, Mandy :), who's been going to her for a few years now. Mandy Tsai has been certified in lash extensions for over a decade, so she really knows what she's doing. She uses the highest quality products and knows what looks best on people. She's super fast too so you can be in an out of there in under an hour.
I was recommended to Mandy Tsai at Rejuvalon Salon by my friend, Mandy :), who's been going to her for a few years now. Mandy Tsai has been certified in lash extensions for over a decade, so she really knows what she's doing. She uses the highest quality products and knows what looks best on people. She's super fast too so you can be in an out of there in under an hour.
2234 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-2800
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-2800
Mission Chinese Food
Category:
Chinese
Neighborhood: Mission
It's good. It's cheap. It's freaking spicy. So if you enjoy all of that and don't expect any other frivolousness, then you'll like Mission Chinese Food.
MCF is located inside Lung Shan Chinese restaurant which is a bit of a hole-in-the-wall. Actually everything on that block is kind of sketchy. But don't be put off by that. Earlier reviewers have mentioned that this isn't authentic Chinese food. Not the case, I've been to regions of China where Schezuan peppers were used in abundance. It'd common, it's delicious BUT it's very, very mouth numbingly spicy.
Top of my list: spicy chicken wings, salt cod fried rice, ma-po tofu. Come with several people so you can try a bunch of things.
MCF is located inside Lung Shan Chinese restaurant which is a bit of a hole-in-the-wall. Actually everything on that block is kind of sketchy. But don't be put off by that. Earlier reviewers have mentioned that this isn't authentic Chinese food. Not the case, I've been to regions of China where Schezuan peppers were used in abundance. It'd common, it's delicious BUT it's very, very mouth numbingly spicy.
Top of my list: spicy chicken wings, salt cod fried rice, ma-po tofu. Come with several people so you can try a bunch of things.
1001 S Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-2134
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-2134
Limón Rotisserie
Category:
Peruvian
Neighborhood: Mission
Best value in San Francisco for food quality and atmosphere. The sister restaurant to Limon on Valencia & 16th may not be as shiny and trendy but that's not why people flock here. Located in the outer Mission on neighborhood streets - where it's a tad difficult to find parking and you'll likely see more families than hipsters - the restaurant serves similar plates to the original with the addition of rotisserie chicken and cheaper prices.
The upstairs area is cozy with dark wood and teal decor. Downstairs (did you know there was a downstairs?) is more swanky with couch seating and is great for groups. Our party of 7 ordered a whole chicken, ten or so plates of appetizers and a pitcher of sangria for $24 per person.
Really? Um, yea.
So the service can be a tad slow when they are busy. And reservations still means some waiting around. But what's the hurry when you have a pitcher of sangria to finish?
p.s. I love the yellow curry sauce that comes with the chicken. I'd lick the sauce plate clean if it weren't for the fact that I'm still a lady.
The upstairs area is cozy with dark wood and teal decor. Downstairs (did you know there was a downstairs?) is more swanky with couch seating and is great for groups. Our party of 7 ordered a whole chicken, ten or so plates of appetizers and a pitcher of sangria for $24 per person.
Really? Um, yea.
So the service can be a tad slow when they are busy. And reservations still means some waiting around. But what's the hurry when you have a pitcher of sangria to finish?
p.s. I love the yellow curry sauce that comes with the chicken. I'd lick the sauce plate clean if it weren't for the fact that I'm still a lady.
1504 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 549-3183
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 549-3183
The Cheese Board
Categories:
Cheese Shops,
Bakeries
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
It can be a long wait for service but well worth it. They have a deck of cards hanging near the center cheese display. Pick up a card and browse the fresh baked bread while you wait. Don't know what you want? No problem, describe the flavor and texture of your favorite cheese and they'll take it from there.
860 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 995-2061
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 995-2061
Oola Restaurant & Bar
Categories:
American (New),
Bars
Neighborhood: SOMA
Oola has been around forever (in restaurant years that is). I remember celebrating a birthday here years ago and really loving the atmosphere. But with all the options in San Francisco, it's not a place that I come back to often. However it turned out to be a great spot for last Friday's date.
The decor is white and black, very chic and trendy. It's not a particularly large restaurant though they have 2 large tables if you want to do groups. I'm not a fan of the bar stools as they are tres uncomfortable but the dark leather booths are sexy. It's a bistro style menu so lots of good options like cheese plates, mac & cheese and niman ranch burgers. Everything we had was super tasty and the date got extra brownie points for choosing the venue that night.
The decor is white and black, very chic and trendy. It's not a particularly large restaurant though they have 2 large tables if you want to do groups. I'm not a fan of the bar stools as they are tres uncomfortable but the dark leather booths are sexy. It's a bistro style menu so lots of good options like cheese plates, mac & cheese and niman ranch burgers. Everything we had was super tasty and the date got extra brownie points for choosing the venue that night.
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Location
Berkeley, CA
Yelping SinceDecember 2005
Things I Lovedesign, electronica, the internets, technology, art, travels, fun, laughing
My HometownSanta Clara, CA
My Blog Or Websitehttp://www.maidenlaned..., http://www.kimmi8.com
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm drinking champagne from plastic cups
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI'll eat almost anything except for chicken feet and cow balls
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadThe Fountainhead
My First ConcertDepeche Mode
My Favorite MovieLost in Translation
My Last Meal On EarthSushi
Current CrushA creative soul. Oh, and fried chicken
Tanpopo used to be the place but not anymore. Went last night after a good year of being away and I probably won't return again. I ordered the shoyu ramen and my boyfriend got the spicy miso. We both left very unsatisfied, the broths were not hearty and the toppings were paltry in comparison to what you get elsewhere.
And on top of that they made us wait for a two seater while 3 other four seater tables sat open. I can understand doing that on the weekends but for a weeknight at 8:45pm, not acceptable. Suzu noodles in the mall across the street is a better option if you're craving noodles.