Nish "Nish" N.'s Profile
DateSan Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 512-1111
Maxfield's Pied Piper Bar
Categories:
Lounges,
American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: SOMA
Listed in: Lunch spots near Yelp HQ
2 Previous Reviews:
-
7/2/2009
My mistake for not looking at a wine list (we were not offered one, either), but from where I come from, when you order a glass of a house red or white, it's typically coming in at under ten bucks, and that's a stretch.
My colleague and I were here the other day for lunch, order a glass each -- our server didn't think to ask us if we were fine paying $16 and $17 respectively, which is what she just assumed we wanted when we asked for a "glass of the pinot and one sauvignon blanc." I've been to Maxfield's at happy hour and purchased an entire bottle for under $45, so this did come as a shock.
I realize that sometimes the buyer should beware and all, but that's just a ridiculous mark-up. Am I right, or am I right? I mean the St. Regis and Four Seasons have wines that are less than that by glass. I've been lured by the pied piper for too long! -
1/8/2007
This is the quintessential old boys expense account lunch spot. Or it should be. Or maybe it once was. Regardless, it's a bit of throwback, but the food is surprisingly really good, with matching service.
I went for lunch today and had the tuna burger, served with mango papaya relish. Definitely worth a try, but I know on my next return I'll be going for the prime rib sandwich or dill salmon. It's not inexpensive with sandwiches prices around $16 for lunch, but again when someone else is buying it's a real treat.
Their Pied Piper bar, which you have to walk through to get to Maxfield's seems like the perfect spot for a vodka gimlet or martini, so see you there soon.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 525-4344
De La Paz Coffee
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: SOMA
Would it hurt so much to smile when a regular, non-flanneled customer is buying your $4 dollar cup of coffee? I'm sorry your Red Wing boots cost so much, but I'm just trying to wake up, just like you, bro.
Here's my current consumer-friendly index for single drip coffee spots, 1 being the closest to an actual positive human interaction:
1) Ritual in Hayes (maybe it's the great outdoors and being near Smitten)
2) Sightglass (here, it's just the other patrons that stare at you)
3) Blue Bottle (Mint Plaza, not Linden, and oh yeah their SFMOMA one is a treasure)
4) De La Paz (admittedly, they are barely open, so might just be shell-shocked)
5) Four Barrel (they have that parklet out front manned by hipsters, almost like an outpost)
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 795-1272
State Bird Provisions
Category:
Tapas/Small Plates
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
The idea of a dim sum style eatery, rolling carts and all, and applied to "American" food, is the kind you wished you dreamt up yourself. And even if you did think of it, the execution would seem improbable if not impossible. But the folks at SBP have already come close to figuring it out, adding gourmet twists to the Chinese tradition.
You're not going to find Shanghai dumplings or shumai passing you by, instead look for an ever-changing "provisions" like pickled wild mushrooms and fragrant spiced shrimp, crudites and croquettes, etc. The official state bird of California is a quail, so their signature dish is one that's fried with lemon-stewed onions. Desserts are equally inspired -- thinking about their clove-spiked fig cookies makes me wish we had ordered more of them.
I'm leaving off a star since I felt there were still kinks and logistics being worked out; I felt that while we heard about dishes being prepared, some of them never made it to our table over the almost two hours we were seated. I understand that there are other hungry diners, but when I want a bbq pork bun, I want to point and order a pork bun, dammit!
Well, perhaps not everything should be fully translated from traditional dim sum to this New American cousin, but the inventive flavors coming out of SBP's open kitchen just have me wanting to come back in to taste what I missed. I'm going to the start getting in line soon...
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 800-3527
The Voyager Shop
Category:
Fashion
Neighborhood: Mission
There are some great clothing brands present, like Denham and Scotch & Soda, mixed in with apothecary goods, and a host of accessories, stationary and objects, namely from Spartan, a company out of Austin that I could buy one of everything from (and then some).*
The gallery lives off to one side, and in the back of the main space is a book and 'zine area, with an odd and quirky spread of reading (if Dash Snow were alive, he'd peruse here) materials.
We choose to live in San Francisco for its devotion to local stores, and The Voyager is decidedly not cookie-cutter or big box, so make sure to support it!
*Some of my favorites from Spartan:
-Japanese bottle opener (https://spartan-shop.c...)
-Wild Unknown prism (https://spartan-shop.c...)
-Plaid iPad case (https://spartan-shop.c...)
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 284-9960
The Sentinel
Category:
Sandwiches
Neighborhood: SOMA
2 Previous Reviews:
-
8/14/2008
Sure lunch is an important meal of the day, but so is breakfast. While The Sentinel doesn't do anything fancy in the morning, they do it right, as evidenced by a potent cup of coffee and a freshly-baked blueberry muffin.
Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but it gets the job done. And frankly, that's all I'm asking for at 8:30 in the AM. -
6/13/2008
Being an avid non-fan of Canteen (for perhaps some admittedly poor reasons), I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Dennis Leary's new Sentinel. The concept is strictly take-out, almost like a food stand, except with choice ingredients. Gourmet fast food for the masses.
The lines are already long, and the limited menu and early buzz sometimes causes some items to run-out early, so go with that in mind. My advice is go with a friend and catch up while you wait, or gossip with the other people in line, make the most of the nice weather while we have it.
When I went the other day, there were three items to choose from and I went with the corned beef. For $8, the size of the sandwich at first appeared to be pretty small but after fiNishing, I was pleasantly full, in part with help from a most flavorful pickle, the only garNish.
So ok Mr. Leary, you win this next round, and I'll be back in line at The Sentinel for more good lunchtime eats. And who knows, maybe it's high time I even try Canteen.
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 409-9464
Hooters - CLOSED
Categories:
American (Traditional),
Chicken Wings,
Sports Bars
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
Wings were ordered, beer was spilled, deeply discounted skimpy merchandise was purchased (oysters were even served, fresh, no doubt from the nearby wharf).
I'm not sure if anything will be able to take the place of Hooters, and maybe, like Johnny Carson, nothing should.
Signing off on a wing and a prayer, here's to remembering the breast of times.
To those who gave a hoot, I salute you.
See you in that great twin peak in the sky,
Nish.
Listed in: Boys Night Out!
1 Previous Review:
-
4/28/2005
Update: 2/7/08
Some good friends and I just had a spectacular lunch here today, and it reminded me why I like Hooters so darn much. There is something strangely appealing about an establishment like this, being in San Francisco; it's so wrong it's right.
My advice, order the wings, Daytona style, and naked, ask for Chloe, she'll know what you mean.
------
Original post:
Hooters is the quintessential San Francisco experience, fun for the whole family in a sophisticated and urban setting. I'm a little biased, I'll admit, I love owls.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 284-9774
Monarch
Categories:
Dance Clubs,
Music Venues,
Lounges
Neighborhood: SOMA
The upstairs bar is set against a beguiling wall art piece that resembles a monarch butterfly, or at least that was my interpretation. There are enough seats to allow for proper lounging as well, and if you're really bored you can continue walking in circles scoping the eye candy (especially on DJ nights).
If you consider the other definition of monarch, then the name could allude to a slightly ego-driven entendre towards well-made cocktails and music reigning supreme. Then again, when I found out that Tadd Cortell (who opened Cav) is one of the guys behind this place, mixed in with Chris Smith (of Om Records fame), then it's entirely possible that the future thumping dance scene down below will truly rule.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 558-8944
Steven Alan
Categories:
Women's Clothing,
Men's Clothing
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
Ironically, Hayes Valley has become a mecca for this neo-heritage movement, with Welcome Stranger (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and Nomads (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) having already kept things timeless, as if patiently awaiting dear Steven's arrival.
And (gentle)man, the wait was worth it -- the store lets you in like a new prep's paradise, featuring not just Steven's trademark button-downs, sweaters and jackets, but some other like-minded brands like Jack Spade and Filson. The women's collection is equally soaked in enough Americana to make Ralph Lifshitz blush.
Only four stars though, since this is the first time I've been to a Steven Allen store without a single bit of salesperson attention. Seriously, I was browsing for over fifteen minutes without even a smile or glance. And I was even wearing a woven tie!
Listed in: Let's Put the "YES" in Hayes!
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 874-9133
Gourmet & More Store
Category:
Cheese Shops
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
You'll find French-y type foods: macarons and candies up front, all kinds of sausages and pates (perhaps even some contraband Foie Gras), freshly bottle olive oil, even.
But the pièce de résistance is the back cheese room, which is sealed off much like a cigar room (I'd imagine, to keep the fromage at the right temperatures). The owner told us he had over 200 choices, typically French but also European and local, and you could tell it was his pride and joy. Big wheels of cheese, ah yes.
This isn't going to replace your requisite Whole Foods excursions, but Gourmet & More's rustic foods are a tasty reminder of the flavorful niceties of life.
I'm sure we'll occasionally haul the boards out to a nearby patch of green, but I'm also seeing us just setting up one board for some indoor recreational bag tossing. My prediction: Indoor cornhole will soon make ping-pong and foosball seem like the Pets dot com and Blippy of start-up office games.
We also have "tricked" out the board with Giftly decals, so if any start-up in the vicinity wants to challenge us, then bring it.
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Review votes:
11375 Useful, 6027 Funny, and 10292 Cool
San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceDecember 2004
Things I LoveRich Kid Cool, Dylan Swift, Fables, Foreign Cinema, M.I.A., Paul Rudd, San Francisco, napping, Dash, My Wife, Nick Hornby, Bob Dylan, U2, M. Ward, Gin, chicken wings, Magnum P.I., Rolling Stones, Artax
Find Me InForeign Cinema, Bluestem or Heaven's Dog
My HometownRochester, NY
My Blog Or Website My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadImperial Bedrooms
My First ConcertThe Police in 1984 in Los Angeles
My Favorite MovieNot favorite but up there is: The Player
My Last Meal On EarthCountry Sweet Chicken (from Rochester, NY)
Most Recent DiscoveryBored To Death!
Add to that the gaudy Pied Piper painting that encompasses the entire bar, well it's just plain creepy. I mean when you think about it, the piper was sort of art's first great child molester. Stick a fork in it, Maxfield, you're done.