Stephy "that writer girl" S.'s Profile
Date
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 971-7166
Clear Pathways Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
Category:
Acupuncture
Neighborhood: Mission
A few months ago I woke up with a pain in my knee. I researched what could be causing this wretched pain in my patella (yes, i learned a new word for knee) and I didn't have much luck on the interwebs. After hobbling through my work day, I came home and could barely walk up my flight of stairs.
I popped a few pain pills that proved to be a futile attempt at relief as the pain in my knee had now spread to my lower back, my whole right leg and even my right arm. I seriously started freaking out. I tried lying down in my bed. I tried sitting down in a chair. I tried lying on the hard floor. I cried a bit, called to my cat and contemplated what a life as a cripple might be like and then I wised up and grabbed my iPhone and starting searching on Yelp for, well, HELP!!
I came across a few listings for acupuncturists in my general area and started leaving messages. Since this was now past 8:30pm, I figured I was doomed to life of pain (yes, i am a bit dramatic when in pain, but this shit hurt!!!). About a half hour later, a 415 number showed up on my phone and on the other end of the call was a raspy and sultry voice with a kind of friendliness that instantly made me feel better. That was when I met Lynn Belcher.
She made time for me the very next morning at the crack of ass. Well, it was more like 8:30am, but that is pretty much the crack of ass for me! Anyhoo. I found parking and approached the classic Victorian building and was greeted by her at the door. Super sweet, great smile and a calming energy that instantly made me feel like I had found the right girl to poke me with pins and make me all kinds of better.
During our session, I explained my pain, my history and we got started. I felt a lot better right after our session ended, but knowing acupuncture, I also knew that it would take a few more sessions to get me back in non-limping action again. Those sessions happened and within a few weeks I was back on track and have been seeing Lynn ever since.
It's been a few months now and my annoying back pain is gone. I used to get stabbing pains in my lower back when I walked around town and they are now gone. If I get a crook in my neck from sleeping wrong and she works her magic, pow, total relief!
I really can't rave enough about Lynn. She's put me on a healthier track, has set me up with herbs and vitamins and my pain is gone. Awesometown. If you are looking for someone to put a smile on your face and make you feel free of pain, then give this lovely lass a try. You won't be sorry!!
I, willingly, sought out, vegetarian AND vegan food. WILLINGLY?!?!? Do you understand the magnitude of this?! I live for meat! I make fun of vegetarians and vegans for a living, but today, I chose to become one with your world and it was amazing!
For the last 3 weeks, I've been dragging and fighting what I'm convinced is the new wave of bird flu or maybe the black plague or God knows what, but basically, I have felt like absolute crap and am running on maybe 40%.
Since I am staying in Mountain View for the next few weeks in hotels for work, I knew my eating options wouldn't be great, but I didn't think they'd be as bad as they've been for the past few days. My system is giving pizza, grease, cheese and fried things the finger and all I want are fresh veggies and bland, healthy food. And so, I saw vegan and came here.
To my surprise though, this food is anything but bland! The Basizl Moo Shu Rolls are so tasty that I wanted to order 8 orders of them. Perfect combo of crunch and herbs, wow, so getting these again!
The assorted steamed veggies and tofu were wonderful and still had a nice spring to them and the sauce they put on the side for this is delicious and not sickeningly sweet like I was fearing. I also decided to try the Singapore Style Rice Noodles and while I'd prefer that the curry had a bit more kick, it's still a tasty dish.
I now have healthy leftovers in my mini fridge and brown rice too. Oh brown rice, how I've missed you so!!!
Thank you Garden Fresh! Hopefully together, we will cure whatever shit storm is invading my system :)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 962-8202
The Mercantile
Categories:
Wine Bars,
American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Hollywood
As indicated in my first review, I was overall pretty pleased with my time here, but the one regret was that the wines were lacking a bit, but after returning last week and making friends with the winetender (Kyle), he turned me onto a MOST DEELISH and TOTALLY REASONABLY PRICED red that will knock your pants off.
It's the 2006 Mas Carlot Vin de Pays D'OC and it's 80% Cab and 20% Syrah and get this, it's $15 a bottle?! It easily could hold court with a $50+ bottle of wine, but newp, it's a mere $15 buckaroos. I loved it so much, I bought every bottle they had. Yes, THAT GOOD.
The cheese and meat plate were also yummier this time and all in all it was a wonderful evening and we ended up closing the place down. And so, The Mercantile is back in my good graces and I will definitely be returning back to ravish their offerings again soon!
1 Previous Review:
-
3/2/2011
The Pros:
-Really great space.
-Really friendly service.
-Really nice charcuterie plate
-Warm yummy bread
-Gerkins!
-Fantastic mustard
-The $3 off glasses of wine/cheese/meats at Sunset Hour discount
The Cons:
-Wines were on the weak side. I like a big, bold, bad ass reds and the few I tasted trying to find that Goldilocks experience, just didn't make the cut.
-The cheese plate was the chef's choice and maybe the chef's picker was off that night, but they weren't all that mind-blowing.
The Overall:
I'd go back, but I'd stick with whites and maybe try some of their food as their dishes all sounded really tasty!
Give 'em a go :)
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 656-1336
Laugh Factory
Categories:
Comedy Clubs,
Pizza
Neighborhood: Hollywood
After several pleasurable visits here over the years, I was finally treated to a dose of terrible service and it was a real bummer. Thankfully, the all star night of comedy made it a little better.
As I had mentioned in my first review, the key has always been to spend the extra $10 and get the VIP tickets, since A) you get in earlier, so no waiting outside and wrapped around the corner, B) you get to hang out in the lounge and drink cocktails upstairs before the show and C) you get earlier seating of your choice and those are all things I will gladly pay an extra $10 for if they happen.
Focus on the key word: IF.
Last night, we did get in earlier. However, those drinks we were so excited to partake in while waiting for the show, never happened. I saw a cocktail waitress once and she was only really catering to one table, but the rest of us were left parched even after trying to flag her down. I even asked if there was still the drink option upstairs when we arrived and was assured that there was. FAIL.
Then there were the seats. We really wanted to sit upstairs, but this was not an option. Instead we were rudely herded downstairs like sheep and told we could only sit downstairs since the upstairs was closed. Fine, but there is a way to say that and there is a way not to, and the cattle herder was a completely rude and short about it and while it's only an extra $10 each, there should still be something to this "VIP" deal.
When we were finally seated, we sat to the left of the stage. We saw cocktail waitresses working the room for the other "VIPs," getting them drinks and no one came over to us. We were the 10th people to sit down and nothing. Then they started ushering in the general admission and they were all getting drinks and still, nada for us.
I then asked a waitress and she said, "That's not my section" and walked away. Okay, well who's section is it then since we've been sitting here for 20 minutes now and no one has come by? We then started noticing some of the people were already on their second rounds and STILL no one! Needless to say, I was pissed.
Finally one of the ushers noticed me flagging her down and I asked if we were in a closed section or something and she said someone would be over. About 10 minutes later, someone finally did and then it was smooth sailing, drink-wise.
But the point remains. We got there at around 9pm with the full intention of having some drinks upstairs and enjoying great seats, cocktails and a show downstairs. I paid $75 for this plan and didn't get our first drop of liquid until 10:37pm. That is ridiculous.
And so, not saying I wouldn't go back because I love seeing live comedy, but if their point is to make money, give people the option to spend it and actually enjoy their time at the venue.
Listed in: Los Angeles Things To Do, Los Angeles Comedy
1 Previous Review:
-
8/10/2006
Wow, really surprised by all of the negative reviews for this place. Everytime my friends and I have gone, it's been a really pleasurable experience. Although, I did figure out the secret. Should I share it with you.....?
Hmmm...?
Alright fine. The trick with this place is, buy the VIP tickets for whatever show you are going to. Here's the thing, they usually run an extra $10, BUT the perks certainly outweigh the $10. First of all, NO LINE. You can walk by all of the people who have been standing outside for an hour+ and simply cruise right up to the door, tell them you bought your VIP tickets earlier online or on the phone and they will show you right in.
Two, instead of waiting outside, they will show you to the upstairs bar, where you can have a cocktail while you wait to be seated. Three, when they open the door to the seating, BAM, you have your choice of any seat up top!
To me, it's totally worth it, since quite frankly my free time is worth much more than $10 an hour.
True, he doesn't put out on the first date, but he really puts out a ton of love over the course of a friendship and he is one of my favorite people on this globe.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 392-5768
Tacos Por Favor
Category:
Mexican
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Mexican grub as it should be! Not super duper greasy with all the right grubby elements.
I went with an easy peasy carne asada quesadilla and even as I type this, my tummy is sending me grunting hints to get back over there and order it another one. My friend went with the tacos and they looked really good and the smile on her face upon completion of said tacos, proved this theory correct.
The guac was also super tasty and the sauces, hot and delicious. Couple those wins with totally reasonably priced food and you will be one happy burro after a meal here.
I'm not usually hanging in this area, but if I am over here again, Tacos Por Favor will be an obvious stop. Muy bueno!
Listed in: Los Angeles Restaurants!, Los Angeles Mexican Food
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-2666
Food Lab
Categories:
Sandwiches,
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
I would have bet large sums of counterfeited cash that a gun, and a loaded one at that, would have been involved to make this horrific idea a reality.
But newp, I did it willing. The words came out of my mouth. I wasn't twitching or convulsing and I actually, oh God, here it comes, I, well I, okay I really enjoyed it! There. Are you happy???!?!?!
Thanks to Food Lab, I enjoyed a wonderfully kickass, totally vegan salad and it rocked! It was refreshing, delicious, crunchy and yummy! And the dressing was to die for! Just slightly sweet, but not too over the top and it made the vegetables sing! Sing I tell you! Like a musical of dancing crispy hericot verts and sweet plump little tomatoes!! (Did I really just type that?!)
To counter this freakish event, I also ordered the Cuban Style sammich with a delicious pork loin, gruyere, ham and of course pickles and mustard on a ciabatta. (C'mon, you didn't really think I had completely flown the Cuckoo's Nest, did you!?)
It was really tasty and paired with the salad, it was a great lunch in a lovely setting and I would definitely come back again to enjoy another round.
As for my current vegan loving converted status...ya gotta be kidding me!
Listed in: Los Angeles Restaurants!, Silverlake Restaurants, Best Sammiches In The…
I am not a religious person. But hey, if you are, more higher power to ya, go with your bad self. About the only religious experiences I seem to have are the ones attached to the horizontal lambada and good food so imagine my snarkish glee when I walked into this place and saw religious symbolism and decals everywhere you turned! Wow, Jesus is God and a taco plate is $5, this outta be good.
After we ordered our dish from the Lord, we grabbed a booth in the back and began chatting. As we did, I started glancing around the room and noticed more and more pictures and illustrations depicting the end of the world and I guess some sort of religious apocalypse. I say I guess, because the only apocalypse I know of is the impending zombie apocalypse, but hey, tomato, tomahto.
Now for the tacos. I would have to say there was no "Oh my GOD!" shouted from my lungs after eating one or two. They were just sort of okay and certainly nothing I would pray on my knees and promise to help little old ladies across the street for. Rumor had it after we left though, that the burritos are the way to go here, but we were on a taco mission, so whatevs.
Overall, this place was just okay and I really wanted to like it more than I did. Luckily for me though, I had an awesome lunch counterpart sitting across from me and the time we had was a good one...despite the not so heavenly taco experience.
Oh well :)
Listed in: Los Angeles Restaurants!, Los Angeles Mexican Food
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 660-6733
Cheetahs
Category:
Adult Entertainment
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Maybe it was because it was a Sunday night.
Maybe because it was All Star Weekend.
Or maybe, just MAYBE, it was because strip clubs in LA now friggin' suck thanks to the bikini top law passing that banned visable boobage! Seriously, what is the point?
You'd have a better chance of seeing something appealing at the beach or even cruising Sunset on a Saturday night. Instead, you are sitting in a rundown strip joint, sucking down weak, yet expensive drinks with bored looking girls in bathing suits and corsets, half assedly strolling the runway to terrible music.
Oh and they are cleaning the pole between each turn up to bat even if they aren't spinning on it. And nothing says sexy like a girl Windexing a pole, right? Swoon.
Ugh, I just really was disappointed and more disappointed because I raved to my visiting friend about how great this place used to be and now it is a pit of suckage. Oh well, luckily strip clubs aren't a part of my routine, so no skin off my back, but what a bummer for anyone looking to get a hot rise out of a night.
Honk shoo zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzz booorrring
Listed in: Los Angeles Things To Do, Los Angeles Bars!
1 Previous Review:
-
8/8/2006
I once met up with a guy here for a date (yeah, talk about gentlemantastic romance, huh!!) and as I walked in one of the "dancers" approached me and said, "Oooh, are you Dottie?"
Me: "...."
Her: "Oh, I was hoping you were the new girl, she's supposed to be here anytime now. Ever thought about dancing?"
Me: No, I'm just meeting someone here (Wondering if it was the blue jeans and hoodie that gave my oh so strippertastic secret away, hmm.)
She then scurried off and I sat down at the bar to order a drink. I get my 7 and 7 and look to my right and who's sitting there, but Henry Thomas of little boy ET fame. Wow. I was so gonna marry him and have teenage crush babies with him.
After a while, my winner of a date finally showed up and later in the evening when I went to use the ladies room...or, err, umm, sorry....dressing/co ke snorting room, I once again was asked if I'd be interested in dancing and if my boobs were real and if the girl's could have the name of my surgeon.
How much do I love you Hollyweird.
So alls I'ms sayin is...Childstar Alkees, Mistaken Stripper Identities and a Boob Inquisition all for a mere $5 cover. How can I not give this place 5 stars!
PS: If Bambi, Thumper, Naomi or whatever your names were are reading this. They're real.
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San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceMay 2006
Things I LoveBay Cities Deli, KBBQ, vintage stuff, red vino, red meat, men with interesting noses, mustard, the SF breeze, Mad Men, cheese, truffle oil, PacNorthWest, ELO, man vs food, my DVR, Top Chef, ballers on a budget
Find Me Indulging in the yummy
My HometownThe Eight Eighteen
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm knee deep in the throws of the culinary world.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsCuz... I said so? Wow, look at that confidence, haha
The Last Great Book I ReadThe rough drafts of my own. :)
My First ConcertRick Springfield. Doh!
My Favorite MovieHenry & June, Grease 2, Zoolander, The Notebook, Tampopo
My Last Meal On EarthMy 22 cheese mac n cheese and a kick in the pants bottle of red
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...Teetotalers are for the birds.
Most Recent DiscoveryBrining is the answer.
Current CrushThe snooze button.
Here's the thing, I've eaten a lot of meals in a lot of restaurants in a lot of cities with a lot of people, but yesterday's midday feast on the grounds of this beautiful and tranquil winery and restaurant easily surpassed many of those meals. Actually, who am I kidding? Surpassed, pshaw, that's an understatement. I should say buried, trumped and OWNED.
Chef Perry Hoffman is a culinary genius. I don't know how else to say it. Oxtail aspic paired with tuna tar tare with itsy bits little balsamic cubes of joy dancing across the plate. Amazing. A sea urchin dish that tasted like the edible offerings of a beautiful siren luring a weary sailor into her seductive clutches. Swoon. The use of peas, purees, fiddle heads and herbs was spectacular and the way he creates a flawlessly balanced plate is sensational. I am no food critic and don't put on heirs to be, but I know an amazing ass kicker of a meal when I have one and what is coming out of the étoile kitchen is obscenely remarkable.
Couple that with the awesome wine pairings, the lovely staff and a relaxing environment that will take you straight to happy town and I do believe you have a reason to get your butt up to Yountville, put on something nice and remind yourself why it's good to be alive. Thank you, Mr. Hoffman and your amazing team for creating perfection on a plate!