Andi "Pirate" T.'s Profile

I have no idea if the food is authentic or not, but I find myself going there almost every week for some tasty hot noodles.  They can make almost any dish vegetarian (remind them not to put the dried shrimp on top).  Service is friendly and the food comes out fast.  Tables free up pretty quickly, or take the food to go.  Brown rice available for $1 extra.

These days, it's rare to have a business transaction go so smoothly that you find yourself thinking, "I wish they were all like this!"  Yet I found that at this Copymat.  (Whoa -- if they could copy good experiences, sign me up to invest.)

I needed a poster printed up for my twins' birthday party and used the handy online form to request an estimate.  I got an system acknowledgement and a personal response right away and the estimate within 20 minutes.  Another 20 minutes later, I was emailed a proof and sent my approval via email.  The poster was ready about 2 hours after that.  I was in no way expecting same-day turnaround and was delighted.

The poster looked great, it was neatly packaged in a sturdy tube (which they unpacked for me so I could see the poster, and then repacked it), and the transaction was handled effectively and personably.  I don't often need copies, but when I do, I'm going back here.  Copy that, Copymat.

Credit cards now accepted, with a minimum order.  The menu is expanding (although the new items are all meat-based), and the staff is still very friendly and gets orders up very quickly.  I'm a regular.

Oh my gawd.  Like gag me with a spoon.  This party was like totally awesome!  

*  Big Time  (Peter Gabriel)
   Big time
   I'm on my way, I'm making it
   Big time big time
   I've got to make it show, yeah

I want a big big house so I can have super cool big big antique pieces from Big Daddy's.  I covet that ship, big time. My birthday's coming up... (Hint hint.)

*  Red Red Wine (UB40)
   Red red wine you make me feel so fine
   You keep me rocking all of the time

Last evening's pirate brought to you by Cornerstone Cellars.  Thank you so much to the nice lady that kept my glass full.  I also really enjoyed:
 - red velvet cake pops
 - those gals in the cute red aprons with the nummy chocolate chip cookies
 - veggie skewers with red peppers and tomatoes

*  All She Wants to Do is Dance (Don Henley)
   She wants to party
   She wants to get down
   All she wants to do is-
   All she wants to do is dance

I had never been to a silent dance party, but it was like majorly tubular.  Favorite moment #1 - the whole bathroom line rockin' out to "Don't You Want Me, Baby."  Favorite moment #2 - a warehouse full of people singing along to "Don't  Stop Believin."  Heck yeah.

*  Rio (Duran Duran)
   Moving on the floor now babe you're a bird of paradise
   Cherry ice cream smile I suppose it's very nice
   With a step to your left and a flick to the right
   You catch that mirror way out west
   You know you're something special and you look like you're the best

Kudos to the flying trapeeze girls and the dance crew (and the bitchin' sparkly outfits.)  You gals (and guy) were da bomb!

*  Let's hear it for the boy (Deniece Williams)
   But what he does he does so well, makes me wanna yell
   Let's hear it for the boy, on, let's give the boy a hand

Yay for Ruggy!  That boy knows how to party hardy.  Give him a hand, ya'll.

Thank you, yelp.  This party was the highlight of my holidays and gives me hope for 2012. For sure.

I come here with my roller derby team and always have a good time.  The staff is friendly and hustles to get drinks out.  The crowd is perhaps a little too friendly, but I guess if you're on a Bud Light poster in the bar, it's to be expected...

Skating is good wholesome fun!  And sometimes it's nice to take a break from derby get my skate on without people trying to knock me down.  :)

Weekend days here are all about kid birthday parties.  You can rent these "Skate Mate" things that look like walkers for seniors with wheels to help prop up the shorties.  Music is more pop and there are the occasional games or birthday announcements.

Wednesday nights are for adults 25+.  It is quite the scene!  After derby, I want to learn how to roller dance and get me some of those little lights for my skates.   Saturday nights are almost as groovy, but there's no age restriction.

The snack bar is reasonably priced and does offer a veggie burger (which I haven't tried yet).  Tip: Bring 2 quarters for the locker rental.

Thank you, yelp, for a gentle and cool way to kick-start the holidays.  I loved the Bottle Cap ambiance, and was really impressed with the friendliness of the staff.  The bourbon drinks were fantastic, and the veggie nibbles were flavorful.  I got a muy mainstream holiday mix-tape, and my kids are going to love it.

One star for the decor.  Because that's all we were allowed to consume.

I came here with a group of 6 people for happy hour.  We were turned away from the upstairs area because it wasn't open yet.  We tried to find a spot for us downstairs.  Every single bar table was empty but reserved, and we were turned away from cramming into an empty booth.

I have never had to work so hard to get a drink after work!  We went down the street, were seated right away, and had drinks in hand within 10 minutes.  For my first time in the door of this place that's right.by.my.work, I was not impressed, name brand chef or not.

Funny.  I've walked by Bluestem a few times on my way to other restaurants along "the alley," and it never caught my attention.  I'm glad Yelp pointed it out to me.

I love the burl tiles on the dining room floor and the sparkly bar.  The upstairs is a nice intimate gathering place.  The upstairs patio has a great view of Market Street and very cozy heat lamps.

Bluestem staff and management were very approachable.  I did not partake of the pig(s), but I did very much enjoy the butternut squash soup, the unique handcrafted cocktails (my favorites were the Honey Badger and the King's Ginger, spiked with extra Ginger), and the nut-free desserts.

Thanks, Yelp!  I got to catch up with friends, find a new drinking/dining spot on the BART line, and score a pair of fingerless Yelp gloves for submitting reviews while I'm out and about.

I love my kids. I love a festival.  I love zucchini. I was quite excited to bring all my loves together at the Hayward Zucchini Festival.

1.  I had to search high and low to find me a zucchini.  The website made this festival sound like the zucchini equivalent of the Gilroy garlic festival.  And all I could find was one booth of medium zucchini on display, another booth selling festival memorabilia (shot glasses, aprons, cookbooks) and a few loaves of zucchini bread.  And a few food booths selling fried zucchini.  Really??!

2.  We really liked the host park.  Lil' Guy almost hung himself on the caution tape on the play structure, but I rescued him in time.  (WTF, Hayward?)  The kids loved the petting zoo and the merry go round.

3.  Turns out the festival is right by Target. So after you wear yourself out by a near hanging, an hour with goats, and trying to find a zucchini to eat, you can stock up on your back to school supplies.