Amanda "Thank you for my Yelp friends/ fans!" B.'s Profile

*********************** 708 **************************

      I come to 111 Minna Gallery every month for the RAW Artists show. So I passed by this place so many times. Finally I came in for a quick din din before show time. On a Thursday night, Ristorante Umbria was 2/3 full, we sat at the bar.

      The blonde bartender girl wasn't friendly at all, with an attitude, we didn't care. Watching Tim Teebow won the game over Limoncello, not bad! A few dishes we ordered:

- Carpaccio di salmon - love the caper, and it was a generous portion.

- Cioppino seafood - the broth was nice for dipping the bread in, but the seafood wasn't fresh.

- Bruschetta - it wasn't serve with fresh tomato, and it wasn't enough topping for the bread!

- Orechietti con Pollo e Carciofi - "Little ears" pasta sauteed with diced chicken breast, fresh artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomato and fresh arugula in extra virgin olive oil and white wine. This was decent.

      It's definitely nice to sit outside on a good weather day for people watching, but I wouldn't come back for the food! There're plenty of better Italian restos with much better service in the City!

*********************** 707 **************************

       I stayed in Marina for a dance performance, after D'anna Thai Kitchen din din, we tried to go to pub for some drinks. Came here at 10 PM on a FRI night, and this English Ales Brewery pub was empty! 4 people at the bar, and they don't have much choices of drinks either, beside the 10 beers on tab! If you love beer, this isn't a bad place, because this is the only pub here in this city!

      The bartender, an elderly man, which was the only person at the bar, he came to shut the OPEN light off. We just sat down for a few minutes. I asked if they are closed now. He said he would closed when we leave! Really?

      No reason to stay any longer! There's nothing to do past 10 PM in Marina city, he said! Great customer service... NOT!

*********************** 706 **************************

       I came here after the dance performance at Spector Dance in Marina city, I heard to local talked to us about this place. I was skeptical at first, but when I came here, the little run down cottage, off the main busy street. I wouldn't even know!

      They welcomed us in, D'anna Thai Kitchen was almost full. We were lucky to get the last table. Everyone was so nice here, he open kitchen, you can just watching the cooks making the food fresh, love it. The chef and owner Anna was there in the kitchen, working her magic.

      The food is authentic, their spiciness is Thai style, not the one they serve the mainstream American which I love. A few dishes to order here:

- Red Curry Chicken  - Curry with bamboo shoots, carrot, bell pepper and basil.

- Panang Curry  - Curry with bell pepper, carrot, green beans, kaffir leaves and basil.

- Laab Gai - Ground chicken mixed with red and green onion, cilantro and roasted rice powder in a spicy lime sauce. Served with fresh cabbage.

- Hima of the Sea - sea bass , served with mango, tomato, onion, cilantro, lemongrass and garlic. This was delish!

       The food was good and the service was quick, friendly & efficient. I would come back soon next time I'm in the Monterey Bay. Just about 10 minutes drive from downtown Monterey.

*********************** 705 **************************

     I've been taking dance classes at De Anza college, so I come here often for Pho Tai (beef noodle soup), egg roll, and Hu Tieu here. I like this Pho-Licious because they have big TV so I can watch football before my class, plus the service is always good here. It's a family owned restaurant, and when I came here to watch football, we got to chat and I always had a good time here!

     The PHO TAI rare beef here is really good. I like the broth and the price is very reasonable here.

*********************** 704 **************************

     I was ready to get hair and make up done for the La Soire French American Chamber of Commerce at the City View San Francisco. I got call time to Atelier Emmanuel Salon for the pre fashion show.

    The salon located right on Union Square, right next to Chanel Boutique, higher floor, with a gorgeous view to the ice skating rink and the gorgeous Christmas at Union Square, just beautiful at night.

     Charles made my hair up as bridal, he put in hair extension on me, made a big bun, than the white lace, and pearls on my hair. I just love it so much. He's just awesome. Later, James did my make up, bridal, simple style for our fashion show for http://VioGemini.com bridal. I just loved it. James was funny, personal, and talented. I love everything about this salon. As high end in style, and service as you can get.

*********************** 703 **************************

      It's my folks timeshare, so I come here often when I'm up in Heavenly for boarding. This time my girlfriends and I went for a week. The way the Worldmark by Wyndham Timeshare works, is when you RSVP, you don't get to choose the unit, so its purely by luck. Luck must had been on my side, we got the 2 bedrooms, on the third, top floor, corner unit,  facing the South Lake Tahoe & the mountain, just simply stunning view.

      This 2 bedrooms unit offers 1.5 bath, a full equipped kitchen service for 6, a dining table for 6, living room, balcony deck, 1 queen bed, 2 twin beds, and a sofa bed. I couldn't be happier, this was the nicest unit that I've ever gone too. An outdoor pool but closed due to winter and an outdoor whirlpool up to 10 people.

     What I love is the kitchen got full stock of teas, coffee, sugar, salt, pepper & 5 packages of spices! So i managed to cook for my friends 2 days!

      Worldmark by Wyndham Timeshare is located in the Summit, about 2.5 miles to the main strip of Stateline where all the casino is at. If you don't want to drive, Go Blue bus stop by the Worldmark every hour to take to all the casino or Heavenly Gondola. It's so convenient.

       After 4 days of not a single snow fall in South Lake Tahoe, on Thursday our wishes came true. Woke up with snowing out at the window, we ran out and tasted the fresh snow, then headed to Heavenly Gondola! Not enough powder to snowboarding, but we made the best of it! Then came back, watching the gorgeous breathtaking sunset from our window, life is good. I got my time with my girlfriends before 1 moved to Japan, the other 2 to LA. What great week it was DEC 10-16. We had a great trip because of everything got to offer at this timeshare.

*********************** 702 **************************

        Marble Lane Restaurant located in the right side of the Dream Downtown Hotel lobby. Spacious, smaller bar, beautiful ball lighting drop down from the ceiling, it's like a dream, just as the hotel name for.

       Marble Lane is a modern steakhouse, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their cocktail drinks menu is amazing by the cocktails mixologist director @TheBarWithWW! This guy can get make some serious drink, I'm so glad to meet him in person, a great guy!

       They offer prime cut steaks, raw items, and global influence cuisine. Big menu, a lot of dishes for everyone.

For lunch:

- Roasted Beet pear, goat gouda, banyuls vinaigrette - light and perfect.

- Seared Tuna blood orange, mache, almonds - refreshing.

-Sun-Ripened Beefsteak lucky's tomatoes, shallots, ricotta salata - surely get your fix!

- Lobster Cobb bacon, radicchio, white goddess dressing - just the name alone, ridiculously good!

For Din Din:

- Small Seafood Platters 3 colossal shrimp, 6 oysters, 4 littleneck clams, half-lobster, tuna ceviche, mussel cucumber salad - totally worth it to share with your group!

- Cowboy Bone-In Ribeye chili dust, lemon butter, roasted garlic - it was good, but I thought I'd prefer the Babbo Rib eye more!

- Porterhouse Pizzaiola For Two tomato, roasted peppers, capers - Enough to share for 3 people, good steak!

       Service was good, and I also love the wine by the glass,  Perrier-Jouet, Grand Brut, Champagne by the glass, I love it!

        Beautiful ambiance, but expect the noise to be high level! Remember it's right in the lobby of the "IT" hotel!

*********************** 701 **************************

        Ph-D lounge located on the roof top of Dream Downtown Hotel. It's the "IT" spot now. Think of the crowd from Hotel Gansevoort now moved here. It's more spacious here, a bar separated from the table area. Extremely great cocktails:

- Wet Dream - sweet, but strong, I had it every day!
- Dream Girl - another FAV

       Table on Fri night while we were there was $1,300 for 2 bottles! Luckily I hung out with the right people! Though we got the center table, panoramic view of downtown Manhattan, priceless! Great DJ!

       Think of Tao, Lavo, Stanton Social, this kind of caliber people behind this lounge/club! You guarantee run into a few celebs! Lots of models here for sure and people party like there is no tomorrow! Love!

       This is 1 of the reason why I miss living here so much! Might need to move back soon!

       P.S. Hedi Klum had her Halloween 2011 Party here! It's the kind of place when you can't get in, you will bitch and moan about it, but when you had a table, it's fan-freaking-tastic!

*********************** 700 **************************

        I realized the Dream Downtown just opened this Summer 2011. I was undecided to stay here or my regular Peninsula where I got VIP service! When I found out my #1 dinner RSVP at Romera was in this hotel. I booked it right away. The hotel is chic, modern, and it's "IT" hotel now in New York!

         Believe it or not I'm not 1 of those hipsters like to see or be seen at a chic hotel. I prefer a classy, elegant and top notch service cater to my needs while I'm away from home.

      Upon my arrival at Dream Downtown, the doorman welcomed me in with my last name! I was stunt, but pleasant with that. The check in rep was really nice, got me the room I asked for facing the Empire State Building view. Gorgeous view at night.

      My week staying here was almost perfect, here is what I like:

- Brand new room, comfy king bed.
- Beautiful city view.
- Ph-D roof top lounge/club - it's the "IT" place now! (another review will follow)
- Marble Lane resto and Beach Bar - EXCELLENT cocktails from @TheBarWithWW
- Out door pool, would be perfect for summer
- ROMERA - the "IT" restaurant is here, opened only a month young! Lovely food, great chef (another review!)
- Italian bath amenities
- Big shower head, no bath tub!
- 2 more clubs in this hotel!
- Love the bar and alcohol options in room!

A few minor things I didn't care for:

- Guests stay at the hotel, should be able to get in the Ph-D roof top lounge, and all bar/clubs here without going through hassle with the front door guy!
- Closet is extremely small!
- How to turn the ceiling light off without turning off the entire room lights!

        My stay was pleasant overall, excellent services from all staffs. The food here is also amazing! Every day while I was here, always some casting call, auditions, we saw plenty of models at the lobby lounge, quite nice eyes candy! Beautiful crowd everyday, nice! It's the "IT" spot, for now 2011!

         BTW, if you have to complain about $17 cocktail, this is way out of your league! I'm just saying!

         Follow them at @DreamDowntown @MarbleLaneNY

*********************** 699 **************************

       I'm way behind on my review because of traveling this past month. I'm back. Well Izakaya has been 1 of my favorite authentic sushi and Japanese cuisine spots in the South Bay.

     I love the freshness of the fishes here, as well as their grilled options. A few dishes I love here:

- Duck
- Chicken liver
- Pork Tonkatsu
- Sashimi
- Agedashi tofu
- Oyster shooter

    The place is tiny, open till 11 PM on week nights, always packed with loyal fans! The moment you step in this spot, you know you are in good hand with the chef! LOVE! My hidden spot for quick Japanese cuisine fix!