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Rating Distribution
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Review votes:
9560 Useful, 4872 Funny, and 8833 Cool
San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceDecember 2004
Things I LoveFables, Foreign Cinema, M.I.A., Paul Rudd, San Francisco, sleeping in, Dash, My Wife, Nick Hornby, Bob Dylan, U2, M. Ward, Gin, chicken wings, Magnum P.I., Rolling Stones
Find Me InForeign Cinema or NOPA
My HometownRochester, NY
My Blog Or Website Why You Should Read My ReviewsI think vegans suck.
The Last Great Book I ReadScott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life
My First ConcertThe Police in 1984 in Los Angeles
My Favorite MovieButch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
My Last Meal On EarthCountry Sweet Chicken (from Rochester, NY)
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I am getting into this twatting thing
Most Recent DiscoverySodaStream Penguin
Current CrushWifey, Dash
Everything from the pakoras and vadas to the various curries (matter paneer, channa saag) and rice were flavorful and fragrant, and the service was just right. Everything is vegetarian, by the way.
When I was talking to the owner (who was on hand), he asked me how long I'd be in town. I told him just until Sunday, and he said, "Well then you'll have time to come in for a full meal." You gotta like that.
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-9696
Tommaso Ristorante Italiano
Categories: Italian, Pizza
Neighborhoods: Financial District, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Somehow knowing that the restaurant is named after Tommy Chin, the long-time chef when the joint was Lupo's (http://tommasos.com/it...), just makes each bite somehow more compelling. My advice is go early in the week and in the evening to avoid the wait.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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3/24/2005
First to Review
Old school North Beach Italian, pizzas done right. Sauce, the right amount of cheese, fresh ingredients... Expect a bit of a wait as the weekend approaches, but a fun place for a group of 4-6 people.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 546-6985
Ristorante Umbria
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: SOMA
It's not an inexpensive lunch, but it's a boisterous one (Italian red wine can have that effect). It's also one of the few spots South of Market that feel like some sort of wheelings and dealings are going on, and we just don't have enough of those anymore.
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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12/11/2008
Umbria is an almost perfect business lunch spot. Admittedly, service can be spotty at times but that sort of goes with the carefree Italian charm. The place is always bustling, and yesterday was no exception.
I went with a staple, the spaghetti with ragu sauce, which did not disappoint. It's a hearty and simple dish, but I've definitely been to other restaurants that don't get it right. You can also get the dish with meatballs, if you're really hungry.
Next time, I'm going back for that lamb burger, or Da Mayor, which is a lasagna plate named after the honorable Willie Brown, a regular customer there. Speaking of mayors, Matt Gonzalez was a table away, and I almost went up to him to apologize for not voting for him. -
3/24/2005
I had one of the best lamb burgers I've had in a longtime, and I was really impressed with the olive oil offered with the bread. A little pricey for your average business lunch but nice for a little splurge.
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 284-8350
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Categories: Performing Arts, Music Venues
Neighborhood: Museum District
We took the METRORail over here on Saturday night, sweet tea vodka in our styrofoam cups, with perfect weather above and around us. Kids were kicking it while the older people like myself took in the show, which turned out to be The Gourds and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. I mean, I've actually paid money to see the former and the latter are good ol' Texas boys, so as a visitor to Houston, I was definitely impressed.
I hear the the symphony is a wonder to take in here as well, along with classic films. Indeed, this really is the true high life.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 527-9929
Poison Girl
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Montrose
Pinball machines line the back wall, and there's an outdoor patio for you smokers. Me, I'll just take that seat at the bar, glass of Michter's in hand, and stare longingly at the black velvet nude portraits that conjure up a more innocent yet tawdry time.
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 528-6874
West Alabama Ice House
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Montrose
Special points for being extremely dog friendly and having an outdoor basketball hoop out back (game of drunk Horse, anyone?).
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
Art Car Museum
Category: Museums
Neighborhood: The Heights
Whether it's actual art cars, paintings, a set of tires, a stretch go-cart or a Harley, each piece reflects our society's fascination and dependence on the open road. We're all trying to get some place, aren't we? Think about all the songs that are about driving -- "Drive" by The Cars, "Greased Lightnin'" of course, Prince's "Little Red Corvette," Bruce Springsteen's "Pink Cadillac" -- well they all get conjured up here.
Admission is free (they accept donations), which makes it even more imperative to get your own auto and floor it on over!
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 528-8561
The Breakfast Klub
Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Southern
Neighborhoods: Fourth Ward, Midtown
Yes, there is a line, but it typically moves by quickly (twenty minutes or so), plus the staff come out and welcome you along. It's all smiles and sunshine. Once you place your order at the counter, you then move along to get your coffee (strong and robust), hot syrup, butter, utensils... and find a seat inside.
Then it's up to you to chow down on golden delicious waffles and crunchy fried chicken, or that catfish with some of the most buttery grits this yelper has ever tasted. The coffee is unlimited, so take your time and recover/converse/eat.
I can't stress how friendly everyone that works there is. I think I talked to four employees during the course of our visit and on the way out, one big gent shook my hand for coming in.
I guess that all stems from owner Marcus Davis, who sounds like a generous soul (there's a few charities he's directly involved with, from what I gather). While in line I read one press clipping about how he used to run out to passing cars and give drivers muffins to try and menus to take with them. Now I'm not saying that's a reason to go, necessarily, but I don't know, maybe it is. You'd have to be "krazy" to pass up at least one visit.
It's owned by the same people behind Nox, which is right next door, but the two couldn't be more different. While there is a full bar, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't try just a couple of shots. I think the menu has something like a thousand on there, no joke, with ridiculous and hilarious names that strangely match the ingredients to a tee.
Well, I can't be so sure of that, because after about four different ones, my memory started to be like this: nfadojdsofnhsakfjnas5927503nslkfsahq;mnvosyu93wrsl nf23475879824-noskkfmsofifsNISHOTSfnafknsafjnfksan fafjafnaksffjkdslf misfkdsfkdsflkdsf9iqwnfdsdfmdflksd9394u10777776666 sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxnjfsfi82nmsfljsmflskjfi.xnvwhie-
... which pretty much was similar to someone shaking my skull vigorously and then my head hitting the bar. Yeah, I think I had fun, and so will you.
P.S. I can't confirm it for the above reason, but I think at some point there was line dancing going on.
Date

Special bonus: they carry Mariage Frères teas, perhaps the best loose leaf in the world, and for some reason nearly impossible to find here in the U.S. Tea bags are for suckers.