Regina "no longer an expat" W.'s Profile
DateSeattle, WA 98101
(206) 749-7000
ART Lounge
Category:
Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Downtown
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 444-0919
The Crucible
Categories:
Art Schools,
Community Service/Non-Profit,
Art Galleries
Neighborhood: West Oakland
Like seriously. I had no idea The Crucible existed until I was there for a Yelp event. I was so impressed. They have all sorts of programs and events to inspire creativity. Here is their mission statement: "The Crucible is a non-profit educational facility that fosters a collaboration of Arts, Industry and Community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the general public."
That's really amazing and I'm so pleased to see it in West Oakland. Their schedule has over 30 pages of different classes and workshops. I'm seriously thinking I've got to enroll and get to blacksmithing!
I was there for the premiere of "Machine", subtitled "A Fire Opera". I've been to an opera before and even have a few favorite arias, but huh? It ends up it was definitely creative and different. It was essentially a dress rehearsal and it needs a bit of work, but I was very impressed with the space and the production.
I'll definitely be coming back as a student or to an event.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 409-2063
Whiskey Thieves
Category:
Bars
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
When I'm in the area, I'll definitely hit this place up.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 302-1810
El Beit
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - North Side
There are a lot of hipsters here, but who cares? The counter service was hit or miss. I remember once someone was pretty nice but I also remember service that wasn't impressive. It's also really hard to find a good space to sit and get things done. Wifi is free and plugs are also in good supply. It's finding a seat that's a challenge. I think it's more the crowd that the spot itself. I remember being there once sitting in the back across from a couple that seemed to be out on a date. Unfortunately, I could tell from the conversation that they were both actors. Talk about a distractingly bad convo. Their topics weren't very interesting and their observations weren't very insightful (there is a reason I always carry headphones with me).
It's just not a place that's worth trying again after a few very bland or simply irritating experiences.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 474-4843
Grove Cafe
Categories:
Sandwiches,
Coffee & Tea,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
That's what I did the other day. I had their breakfast, which they serve until 4pm: awesome. I also had some loose leaf tea. My breakfast was good: poached eggs, apple smoked bacon, hash browns and toast. The bacon was particularly tasty and I could tell it wasn't the stuff you pick up in the grocery store. I chose the mint tea.
The layout is still the same. I'm not sure if it's still owned by the same people though. I say that because when I walked in a really enthusiastic older man approached me as if I was brand new. Now granted I'd not been there for awhile, but I've been going there since the late 90s. He was friendly, but it was just a little odd because I wasn't expecting it. Everything else was pretty much the same.
It's still packed with yuppies, but that's not surprise because those are the people who live in the Marina. However, it's a nice cafe with some good drinks and good food. Any place where I can get good service, good drinks, good and get a bit of work done is a good place.
1 Previous Review:
-
4/12/2009
It's been years since I've hung out here, but it's still a great spot. I was a law student back when I discovered this place. So I would pack my backpack and haul my laptop here to study.
Years later, I'm back in the city, and it's still a nice spot to eat, drink and people watch. The staff is great. They're very friendly. This goes from the cashiers to the busers. The actual crowd can be hit or miss because it's mostly locals from the Marina/Cow Hollow area. But if you know the general demeanor of the people in the area, you deal with it and laugh when things progress to presumptuous or silly. Sometimes though you can also meet some nice people there. However, for me, it's really more about the atmosphere and being in a space where I can relax.
They have a good selection of beverages. Unlike other places, they also have a great selection of food from sandwiches, salads, soups and interesting side dishes. What I like is you can make your own salad and since I'll eat smoked salmon every chance I get, I ordered a salad with smoked salmon that was just divine.
It also has a nice rustic interior with lots of dark unfinished wood, big glass panel windows and skylights. An added perk, they've got wifi. I believe it's free. I'm not 100% sure because I subscribe to Boingo and it's also a Boingo hotspot. Check the other reviews for details on free wifi.
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 217-6888
Golden King Vietnamese Restaurant
Category:
Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Chinatown
It's absolutely delicious! One time I came here with a friend and they were out. I was very, very sad. :( I ordered another pho and it was good, but I wanted my pho bo kho! I came back with another friend the next week and was happy. They give you a lot, so it's something you can split. When I know I'm coming here, I just don't eat breakfast.
They're also pretty nice. That makes going to a small place like this fun. There you go! I've pretty much said go there and order the pho bo kho, but don't order a lot of it on the days that I plan on eating there. ;)
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 658-9866
Powell's Sweet Shoppe
Category:
Candy Stores
Neighborhoods: Rockridge, North Oakland
They're a local shop and it's great. I'm a type 1 diabetic, so I go straight forward to their sugar free section. I'll admit that I wish it were bigger. However, it's stocked with sugar free gummy candies and they also have the hard-boiled Halter candies from Switzerland too. Since I don't crave sweets a lot, it's good to have them close by.
They're really friendly too.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 841-1688
House of Curries
Categories:
Indian,
Halal,
Pakistani
Neighborhoods: Elmwood, Claremont
It's inexpensive to eat here. They also have free tea. You have to bus your own table if you're eating there. That just means get your water and cutlery, but they bring the food to your table. Also, they're also friendly.
I can't comment to the authenticity of the food because I'm not even close to an expert on Indian food. I just know the two dishes I order are tasty. I'll make that comparison one day after a couple of trips to India.
San Francisco, CA 94104
Espressamente Illy
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Financial District
I loved the decor. They have a coffee cup chandler that's really impressive. Unfortunately, I try to not drink coffee, so I opted for a juice. The people I was with though loved their coffee drinks though.
The cafe also had their pastries in a pretty little display. It's just that I don't eat pastries, so I skipped those too.
For the great coffee drinks (which, one day, I might try), pastries (which I'll never try), great decor and ambiance, it gets 4-stars. It's a much better experience than most chain coffee places.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 644-2233
Sack's Coffee House
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
I live near this place and I noticed when Cal was in session, they were packed. I was just getting used to the area, so I didn't bother. However, I checked it out the other day and it was a pretty cool place to sit, have a cup of tea and get some work done.
The girl who was at the counter when I arrived wasn't one of the smiley happy people, for sure. However, she did her job and wasn't nasty. She just wasn't warm. It's hit or miss at other coffee spots too, so it's not the end of the world.
What I liked was the atmosphere. It's a wide open space with plenty of places to sit and, if you're lucky, an outlet. They also have wifi.
I got there after their kitchen closed but I'll give it a try one day. Honestly? They get points just for being open later than most. In Berkeley things close early. (I'm still shocked that the Starbucks across from Cal closes at 8pm, what?). Therefore, living near a coffee house that's open until 9pm when Cal isn't in session and to 11pm when Cal is in session is nice. Ideally, they'd be open to 11pm all the time, but I understand and can cope with the fact that they're getting most of their business from students.
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Berkeley, CA
Yelping SinceFebruary 2008
Things I Lovemusic, travel, reading and writing
Find Me Inriding around Berkeley on my bike
My HometownLos Angeles, CA
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...Writing, reading or listening to music
Why You Should Read My ReviewsYou shouldn't. You should only if when you read what I write, it makes sense
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadA Thousand Splendid Suns
My First ConcertDuran Duran
My Favorite Moviethe original Star Wars trilogy
My Last Meal On Earthmy mom's Southern soul food
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I think Justin Timberlake is so sessy ;)
Most Recent DiscoveryMissing Link in Berkeley
Current Crushyou know who you are ;)
It was absolutely great. I prefer soft cheeses, so I was happy with the selection. I'm not a connoisseur by any stretch. For me, it was a nice treat with a beautiful view.
The people who work there were very friendly. I'd taken my bike with me during my road trip, and had stopped at a local bike shop earlier that day. I didn't have time to take my bike back to where I was staying, so it was time for a fun downhill ride to downtown. I got there and didn't notice any safe places along the street to lock up my bike, so I asked where I could park it. They then told me they could park it if I was going to the hotel. Since I was, that was great!
I got the same level of friendly service when I got into the lounge. I explained I was meeting a friend and was early. I asked if it would be okay to have a drink and work while I waited for my friend. That was no problem. The host showed me to a table near a plug. I powered up my mobile hotspot and got to work. She came back and took my drink order and all was good.
Overall, I had a really nice experience there and would recommend it to others.