Jenn N.'s Profile

Definitely a way to occupy 2 hours for the Jack Bauer and James Bond inside all of us.  Thoughtful creative interactive exhibits, but needed more completeness.

Pros: Full of interactive hands-on exhibits, tons of detail on every aspect of spying from way back past to present-day...and the future
Cons: Perhaps geared toward the just-learning spy.  What about the seasoned spies!  Not the best experience when visiting alone.

Visiting DC for the first time since I was 10, my friends recommended this museum.  Unfortunately not being told weeks ahead of time, I could only paid full price ($15) and that I did.  Normally, I would never go to anything full price, but this was an exception.  Surprisingly for what the museum was, it was well worth it.

I had wrote on my Facebook status--International Spy Museum or cooking store?  With all my male friends enamored with 24, James Bond and the like, of course the choice was obvious.

The experience at the beginning--riding up a secret elevator, picking a spy name and remembering the details...it was cute and interactive.  But because I was alone, it was awkward.  As I wanted to see what other people were remembering.  

The exhibits were interesting and provided a lot of detail and depth about spy tools.  Not only did the museum cover the fancy pants cars with rockets, but it covered how to disguise one's self and be aware of surprises in the surroundings.  I saw a guy in a business suit (perhaps on a side trip from a business trip) wandering around, but he definitely did not follow me up to the air vent where I crawled more than 12 feet on my knees listening on secret conversations and peering on the visitors below.  That was awesome.

If hadn't slept less than 5 hours the previous days on my East Coast journey, I would have studied everything.  There was so much detail on everything, on the Cold War Era, on China, G-men...at the same time, it makes me wonder why such information would be available.  Yet, I wished someone else was there with me to give me another perspective.  Having breezed through the entire museum in 2 hours, I felt like I missed something.

This was quite the example of excellent service design.  When I do return to DC, I can't wait to do the Spy at Night or similar.  Alternate reality games, here I come!

The last exhibit was about the future--computer viruses and how President Obama was going to address those issues.

So the gift shop.  Very disappointing.  Perhaps I have been to many hipster stores in San Francisco and New York City, but I didn't see many unique items (beyond paraphernalia that said International Spy Museum).  Granted, stuff for kids was quite excellent.  But for the adult kids that I know, I couldn't find anything that was spyworthy and ended up buying only a shirt.

It felt empty leaving although satisfying.  I wish the museum extended the experience beyond the museum--perhaps a website although I completely understand...since it is meant to be all secretive! Show owner comment »

Food needs improvement.  However, great service.  Happy servers.

Pros: Excellent customer service.  Happy servers (that are Americanized like me!)
Cons: More than half of the food we tried was disappointing.  Pork belly and beef brisket was absolutely so so unpleasant.

The bf and I had tried this restaurant awhile ago when it first opened.  Time must have passed and I had forgotten my first impression.  At the time, it was just...ok.  Nothing to write about.

But then we returned recently, intrigued by the $4 off twitter/facebook deal.  Like the first time, someone greeted us warmly.  This time, it turned out to be the new manager (they changed management apparently and thus the all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet was introduced).

A large party was leaving and the guy actually maintained contact with us, assuring us that the table would be ready soon and apologized for the wait.

The bf could tell that our table was hastily wiped down.  But whatever, I didn't care...I was about to embark on a mission of all-you-can-eat MEAT!

And so we started.  Unlike other BBQ places, I have been to, they used an iron tray on top of a flame.  It was intriguing since they switched it between courses.  And somewhat like a George Foreman grill, the oil would slide down to a tray below.  Not quite sure if the meat felt healthier, but it was pretty cool.  We asked what the white stuff was on the iron tray--it turned out to be sprayed-on Pam like substance.  The bf ate some...and that's what it turned out to be.

It was nice to get a house salad to start, served in a trendy oblong bowl.  However, as the bf pointed out, the salad was barely marinated or mixed.  It felt like it was hastily pulled out of the fridge and tossed with a sauce.  Ok...what's going on?

The small dishes.  Pleasant, but no jap chae included.  The bf, quite the connoisseur in Korean plates (being half-Korean) noted that the seaweed salad tasted like the seaweed salad he made.  That is like the house salad, it tasted like the seaweed was pulled out and mixed in with the sauce.  The seaweed was not marinated...and just tasted like seaweed.

The meat.  The servers could tell that we were experienced with the BBQ and didn't spend time instructing us.  I liked the fact that the meats came with onion and bell pepper.  The Gal-Bi (beef short rib) and Bul-Go-Gi (beef ribeye) were excellent.  It was marinated just right and wasn't overly full of fat.  Perhaps we got the last of the marinated ones.  But everything else was disappointing (although the bf enjoyed the spicy bbq pork).  The chicken was not marinated.  The pork belly and beef brisket were still frozen when we got it.

Together, the bf and I went through all the meats and then an additional course, spending more than 2 hours at the restaurants.  We were the last ones to leave, 30 minutes after the closing time.

At some point, I asked for tea, but the server neglected to get it for me.  We did have to ask for one of the meats to be brought out after 10+ minutes of waiting.

It's hard to judge...because I thought the twitter/facebook thing was pretty awesome.  I love this kind of marketing and applaud Ginseng for going that direction as I am the social media kind of gal.  I just wish the food was improved.

Also, is it just me or were the tables too high?  Something didn't feel right as I tried to cook, always awkwardly reaching over something...

Scavenger hunt about street food?  Oh yes!  This was a 3 week hunt held in August, commencing in the final puzzles at the Street Food Festival on August 22nd.  All puzzles and missions were on a webiste.  Missions led teams to at least 4 destinations each week, reqiring a creative photo or video.

I was among the 300+ teams that signed up for the game.  We solved puzzles, went  on missions, and created the most wacky videos/photos ever.  It was fun.  We met really cool people.  But this review is about the company.

First, let's talk about the game experience.

The game experience was incredible.  Who would have thought of a scavenger hunt with street food!  Perhaps the simple design of connecting people with food--perhaps some of the player's first love--had to do with the pleasure.  We discovered food trucks that we didn't know about before.  We met other teams along the way.  The experience of creating photos and videos to capture the spirit...and browsing through teams' artifacts was so pleasurable and memorable.

Now the game design.

Signing up at the website is confusing.  There is no authorization for joining certain teams.  The UI is poorly designed in signing up, creating a team, and editing a team.

I was team captain (go Deep Fried Twinkies!) and received a list of email addresses at the start of the game.  Unfortunately, the email contained over 40+ email addresses.  Because of the nature of the initial sign up UI, I thought random people had signed up for my team and as a result, I spammed all of them.  Until I was notified that it was a glitch that I received random email addresses.  Sounds like a bad omen to me.

Each team was given a passcode to enter into a website.  There we would solve puzzles by entering a word into a field.  However, if the word was not spelled correctly (and no warning was displayed), points were deducted.  Of course, all teams figure it out after the initial deduction.  As I had when I blindly submitted few words for the first question.

When I studied game design in graduate school, one component of design is playtesting.  As with any product, all products should go through a thorough QA process before it is released.  Now it seems, it wasn't the case here.  Some missions led us to places that did not exist.  One business had already closed shop several months ago.  Another was actually at the Civic Center farmer's market rather than the Alemany Farmer's Market.  With all the spelling errors and awkward "forced" puzzles (What is the word for hello, goodbye, a dog and a SF restaurant?  The answer is chow, but ciao is how I would spell hello and goodbye).

And the scoring.

Photos and videos were uploading and presented in a gallery format.  To get points, photos and videos are voted by other users.  The UI for scoring was awkward.  The better the score, the more points the team could get.  A share link containing twitter, facebook, etc. was available to quickly share the link.  There was drama involving a few teams cheating the system.

And the final puzzles.

Melanie (who unfortunately left Go Game shortly after this game complete) was incredible.  At the Street Food Festival, we ran around discovering puzzles.  We were told to "take a photo with someone who looks like someone famous" and run back to show proof.  The go game people were excited and enthuastic, making our game seem worthwhile.  I have a video of the awards ceremony...and it was really fun!

The after-party!

Due to Melanie's leave, the after-party was held more than a month after the game had completed.  At Rye.  It was disappointing as it was apparent that her successors didn't carry the same energy and knowledge that she had.  There was footage being shown on a screen, which was supposed to cover the game.  However, my team's photos and videos weren't even shown.  Even with over 30 teams actually participating, less than 6 teams were featured on screen.  This short 6 minute video was also provided on DVDs.  Granted, there were special drinks and $1 tacos.  But the after party was something that was misinformed.  We were told there was going to be a ceremony--more prizes, maybe more games...but none of that came to fruition.

Since then, I have received several emails about other Go Games.  But maybe one day...  In the mean time, this started my love affair with scavenger hunts.  And I'll return when I am ready again.  Once I know what is the best.

However, an unique experience.  Oh yes.  I would be curious about something more personal.

Lovely location, but stick to the ice cream.  

Pros: Conveniently located on Valencia, 99 cent yogurt!, open late, wonderful vanilla flavors, organically driven and bio-friendly, short lines

Cons: Not as creative as nearby luxury ice cream shops, agave-sweetened surprising

Located conveniently between the busy bustle of 16th and Valencia and the quieter 24th and Valencia, Xanath gets you in right as you're leaving the hoards...progressing to the quieter side of the Mission.  A nice cool reprieve in those rare hot days in San Francisco.

The vanilla ice cream is as good as they come.  But despite the many different variations here, the difference is subtle.  Creamy and satisfying.  The ice cream is just right, but the options are somewhat limited.  Better prices!

But here's the killer.  In a bad way.  Intrigued by the $0.99 froyo sweetened with agave, I was surprised by the imbalance of flavor.  The froyo was overpowered by the agave.  I tend to enjoy plain yogurt with its tart flavor, but the agave made the frozen yogurt...taste more...honey-like...metallic...uncreamlike  Hard to describe, but it was rather unpleasant.  And I am the one who loves crazy flavors like salt and pepper and olive oil.  

Short lines here might say something, but adding more creativity and rebalancing the flavors could make this place on par with other ice cream shops in the proximity.

The women behind the counter were very friendly.  But I almost felt like they weren't ice cream lovers as the people behind other counters at other shops.  Usually I expect the excitement in their eyes as they hand out samples, but it was only politeness and friendliness.

A few more improvements could make this place a killer ice cream stop!

A nice man with incredibly tasty delicious nice waffles!

Pros: Waffles are AAAMAZING! It's the best way to make a down day go up.  The nice way to start shopping at the Farmer's Market.

Cons: Pricier than expected, but omg delicious waffles!

When I used to work near the UN plaza, I came here once and had the most orgasmic experience with this waffle truck.  I had heard about it for weeks...and it was not at all disappointed.  I basically bribed a friend to accompany me to the market with two waffles.  One powdered sugar waffle and one regular waffle for me.  One powdered sugar waffle and one regular waffle for her.  It really was enough for a single lunch.

But last week, the BF came here as part of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt to take a photo with waffles.  The owner was willing to let the BF take a crazy photo (http://moourl.com/z1xix) for the mission at the waffle truck.  Apparently the BF had many good times talking with the owner in French as well!

Be sure to say BONJOUR! if you pass by his truck even if you're not getting anything.  He will appreciate it.

If you buying 3 or more, you get each waffle for $3.  But chances are that you won't finish more than 2 at most.

I recommend getting the waffle with the powder sugar because it accentuates the flavor of the waffle the most without hiding it.

He's only in the UN plaza on Wednesdays during lunchtime, but apparently he can be found in Oakland.

If you're the kind of person who wants to eat the waffle with a fork and knife, be sure to bring your own.  He doesn't provide any silverware.  The waffles are wrapped in a paper sheet (as seen in the photos)!  Or he can bag them for you.

Note: This is a review from a non-drinker.  I have been to many bars/lounges in the city, however.

I have not been to a bar this price-conscious (customer-facing) and somewhat rude to people who just can't take alcohol.

Having passed by many times on the way to/from Rainbow Grocery, I was always curious what this hip-looking lounge would be like.  I came here for a friend's birthday with a large group of 15+ people.

The ambiance and decor was nice--well suited for a standard lounge.  On the Friday night, the DJ was playing and the music was unfortunately rather loud.  This isn't a nightclub or a lounge with a dance floor.  Why is it that a lounges can't be more casual so that people hear other people speak?

The group I was with enjoyed the whiskey and mixed drinks, particularly the mojito.  But when I asked the bartender for some non-alcoholic recommendations, she nearly laughed at me.  Quite often in my experience, this is a sign of poor service and lack of customer consideration.  Why scoff at me?

Worse off, when I got the bill...I found out that my non-alcoholic drinks were nearly the price of the alcoholic drinks equivalent.  (Only a dollar difference).  Is there something wrong with the pricing?  Why is a glass of cranberry juice with lime nearly $5?  And a glass of soda water with mint, sugar and ice...$9???  A fellow bartender in our group even mentioned that he wouldn't charge such extraordinary prices.  Of course, some would say that I am paying for the experience.  But what is this experience exactly?  A loud, nearly empty lounge?  (This was Friday night at 10 pm)

I hear the bathroom has a dungeon-like theme.  And that several customers started banging on the door after a friend went inside for just 30 seconds.  What does this say about the clientele?

Overrated.  Disappointing.  What happened to Southern hospitality?  Loved the waffles.

Pros: It's a destination.  Supposedly.  The waffles.
Cons: Prices, dry chicken, uneven service, limited menu

This is a rare occasion where I had such an uneven experience that I highly doubt that I will return.  For many years, I had been wanting to go to Roscoe's.  Not only because it's a landmark and LA destination, but because Southern food has always been one of my favorites.  The quintessential home-cooked food. And the best combination of fried chicken and waffles!

So my boyfriend and I arrived after a long drive from the Bay Area around 9 pm.  Parking is ample on the street, although it doesn't seem generally safe.  He had parked right front of the restaurant (which unfortunately has no windows so you can't watch your car).  Unfortunately, we had filled the backseat and trunk with tons of stuff (my fault for not realizing that Roscoe's is not in the best 'hood).  And checking on the car after 15 minutes in the restaurant, he saw several sketchy people looking inside his car.  He moved the car to a nearby brightly lit parking lot for safety.

During this time though, our server had not even come over (even before he left to check on the car).  I already knew what I wanted and what my boyfriend wanted.  Finally, I ordered for the both of us...and the dishes came quickly.  He got the Lord Harvey (chicken lathered with gravy with a biscuit and grits) and I got Scoe's #1 (fried chicken with waffles).  I also got Linda's delight a mix of iced tea and freshly squeezed lemonade.

The waffles were...amazing.  With two cups of syrup and the right amount of butter.

The chicken?  Disappointing.  Perhaps I had ordered white meat, but it was dry and somewhat unseasoned.  I was given a huge uncut breast with multiple bones and a mini wing.  It seemed like they could have at least split the uncut breast in two pieces.

The drink was as expected.  And it did taste fresh-squeezed!

The server did check on us once while we ate.

As we were hungry, we finished in 10 minutes.  Our waters were unfilled the entire time.  The table behind us got their check way before they had finished eating, which I consider a faux pas (it should either come after clearly finishing), but they waited nearly 20 minutes with a credit card in hand.  And worse of all, they were just sitting across from the kitchen/bar area.  Eventually one of them got up to find a server. (No signs for pay up front.)

The bf and I waited around politely for nearly 20 minutes for the check...and finally flagging down our server (who somehow disappeared).

I walked out of Roscoe's feeling that I had accomplished seeing a LA landmark...but something that amounted to nothing and a negative feeling overall.

In sum: Excellent service, but potential miscommunication prior to delivery and unclear instructions on website.  However, someone is always available to answer calls!

Having tried the miracle fruit tablets previously, I wanted to get the real thing aka the real berry.  Like many others, I was enthralled with the idea of flavor tripping.  Especially with my strong sweet tooth.  Makes things sweet?  Of course!

With my upcoming birthday, I came up with a reason to hold a flavor tripping and a reason to get a bulk order of miracle fruit berries.  

Weeks before the event, I spent time reviewing the site.  Then sent out an invite to over 58 people.  The site explicitly stated that an order was not to take place until the days prior to an event to ensure proper delivery!  So I sent an email confirming my expectations of how it worked.  Unfortunately I never received a response.

Berries only last less than two days, but apparently (I didn't realize this) can last up to a month when frozen.

Because the flavor tripping party was going to occur on a Saturday, I planned to get the berries to be delivered with 2 day shipping to arrive on the Friday.  The website said to order on Wednesday before 2 pm PST.  To confirm, I called them that Monday and asked how I should order and they told me to submit the order on Wednesday.  So I ordered it late on Tuesday so I wouldn't be scrambling Wednesday morning.  In the morning, I received an email stating that the berries would not be shipped until the following week and to call if I needed them sooner.

Frantic as an anxious party planner I was (as it is difficult to get 58 of my friends together), I called them immediately and asked to have the berries delivered earlier.  They told me that they ran out of dry ice and would try to ship it as soon as possible.  Then I spent the rest of the day in anxiety, wondering if I would have to cancel the party, transform the party to a pseudo-potluck party or whether I could place trust in the miracle fruit man.  

I called them back that afternoon asking for a status update.  The woman on the line seemed slightly irate that my anxiety was a bit high.  Note though that I rarely the crazy customer even in this case, but I felt the situation could have been dealt with more confidence and assurance.

The following day I received a fedex tracking number indicating that the package had been sent out...with 2 day shipping to be arriving on Monday.  Frantic once again, I called and the woman again almost irritatingly told me that she had sent out another tracking number and that the package was going to be sent overnight.  Again, putting trust in her, I gave her the benefit of doubt.  Realizing now that I had little alternative if the berries did not arrive, I simply could wait.  Finally though, the correct tracking number arrived via email.

And the package arrived the following day.  Everything was as requested.  The berries were sealed in a small ziploc bag in a larger foam ice box filled with dry ice.  Even instructions on how to use the miracle berries were included!

The experience with the berries was incredible and I'll remember it forever!

Although earlier reports said that Curtis Mozie would contact you...there was no such thing.  Most likely, he was too busy with so many demands for orders that he doesn't respond to personal requests anymore.

Miracle berries?  Oh yes!  Bottom line: this is the best place to get miracle berries (at least right now) since it's apparently the only American farm that produces miracle berries.  Anywhere else in the country would get their berries from here.

My favorite way to start the day and favorite way to end the night (when he's at 19th and Linda).  Especially on my new (long) commute starting early in the morning.

Pros: $1!  Variety!  Awesome drinks!  Tweets what he'll serve the night before.  Very nice guy with a smile to welcome the morning
Cons: Watch out for the hot tchai!  Most items are not warm.

Cutting to the chase.  I love love love the variety and the drinks he serves.  Drinks are complimentary with each item.

As of the first of May, he appears at the 24th/BART during the week from 7:30-10:30 am and at 19th/Linda on Thursday nights.  Check his twitter @amusebouchesf to make sure.

I have had:
lemon-lime muffin and tchai ($1)
banana-walnut muffin and tchai ($1)
strawberry tart and hot tea ($3)
apple tart and iced tea ($3)

The first time I spotted him, I was happy because even though I didn't buy any, he still had a welcoming smile and a "Good morning".

Because of my morning rush to work, I rarely have a moment to chat and usually quickly pick up something.  It's true that the muffin and drink are rather small, but $1 is worth it for a welcome to the morning and mini-sustenance on a long commute.  $3 for tarts.

Unfortunately despite the warning he gives "it's hot!" in the wax cup that doesn't hold heat in nor protects your hand from heat, I have spilled the tchai on my hand multiple times on the way down to BART.  And because of the no food policy, I have sometimes gulped it down before entering the station.  The last time I bought a drink from him, I brought my own mug which proved to be useful (hopefully he was not offended).

The tarts are wonderful.  He has crafted a wonderful compilation of tastes and truly provides a variety in this realm.  Even when not hot.  I saved the apple tart for later and after a short nuke in the microwave, it was delicious.

The muffins are small, so don't have as a defined taste.  With it being cold, it's difficult to really tell.  But the light flavors of lemon and poppy seed does make it a worthwhile snack.

Now the drinks.  I love the tchai.  It's the right blend of spiceyness without overpowering sugaryness.  And the teas--both hot and cold, they all please me.  It does not taste like lipton at all.  All drinks seem to be hand-crafted with thought.

There was one sweltering morning where he was standing in the sun.  And he was still smiling.

Pros: Quiet place in dogpatch, minimum choices, compostables, rotating menu, juices
Cons: Minimum choices, broken straws, lack of seating when busy

For my last weekday lunch in San Francisco, I went to Kitchenette.  Traveling by public transit (48) all the way from the Mission.  After a hectic ride, the walk to Kitchenette SF was surprisingly calm.  It's a quiet area in Dogpatch behind the large warehouse-like buildings.

There, I walked up the stairs where a man with a cool hat was taking the orders.  Instead of saying the name of the dish such as "the hippie evolution" or "porchetta sandwich", you say "salad" or "sandwich".  And instead of saying "honey tangerine refresher", you say "drink".  Because of the minimalist menu, there is little need to stumble over complicated names for dishes, which is incredibly nice.

I ordered the Hippie Evolution and the Honey Tangerine Refresher.  Initially, because I was studying how people were ordering, I accidentally said "sandwich".  The man seemed unfazed and friendly when I corrected my order for a "salad".  Salads and drinks are often immediate and you get it right away since it is already boxed. I took my salad and juice outside, but awkwardly stood near the benches.  Unfortunately, there probably needs to be more seating as I stood with a salad in my right hand and a cold drink in my left.  I balanced my juice while opening my salad box...but nobody on the benches (both people who were waiting or eating) moved taking maximum space.  Granted, I could have asked to sit down, but for my party of one...I wanted to wait until someone got up.

However, that is completely aside since the review is about the food.  The juice was fantastic with the right blend of sugary sweetness and tangy citrusness.  I have a tendency to bite on my straws and...this was the first time the straw splintered.  No problem, I turned the straw around and prepared to drink on the other side thinking it was just a weak side.  Again, the straw splintered even though I was not biting hard.  This has never happened with any of my straw use.  But I stuck with the straw anyway...since the splintering was barely an issue.

Now the salad.  I loved the fingerling potatoes and apples--especially since you rarely find the former in salads.  I did love the mix of sweetness, buttery-ness and carbs-ness together.  However, I felt something could have been added.  Maybe the vinaigrette was too strong because as I continued eating the salad, it did not mix well with the greens leaving an unpleasant taste of bitter and sour.  It did go well with the apples and potatoes however.  It's nice that a salad for once has a bit of...carb.

Sandwich next time maybe...if I ever am in the city during the weekday.

As a result of these small negative details, I couldn't bring myself to get a cookie.  However, the juices were really good...and so refreshing for those "hot" days of San Francisco.