Faith "VWX" Y.'s Profile
Date
59 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94106
(415) 495-7655
San Francisco, CA 94106
(415) 495-7655
Sushirrito
Categories:
Japanese,
Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: SOMA
75 Yerba Buena Ln
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 243-0299
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 243-0299
Tropisueño
Category:
Mexican
Neighborhood: SOMA
Two big misses: super leery waiter + insanely long wait times for our food. All of our appetizers, entrees and drinks arrived at the same time which was overwhelming. As an apology for the wait, they did comp us a chocolate torte with warm, chewy churros which were quite tasty. Still, nothing helped alleviate the antics of the creepy waiter. I'm talking winks, table lingering and uncomfortable questions about where we stayed/lived; I felt so bad for my poor coworker who was getting the brunt of this attention!
Aside from that, we enjoyed most of the food. Some highlights:
- Awesome thin chips served with three kinds of salsa. One was spicy, the other was verde and the third tasted faintly like beans and was served warm. Due to their thinness, it's hard not to plow into the entire bowl
- Chile Verde: Giant chunks of tender pork in a lovely house sauce. All the main entrees are served with your choice of white, pinto or black beans, rice AND tortillas. If you're afraid of carbs, what are you doing at a Mexican place anyway?
I could have done without the Tacos de Cachete (braised beef cheeks). They're a bit too heavy to start off an already meat-laden meal and since it came at the same time as our main courses, it was doubly difficult to finish. The Camarones (Garlic butter shrimp) were too firm and super acidic from the lime but palatable. I did dig that they were spicy though.
The leftovers were enough for a solid dinner the day after and the chile verde tasted even better then.
Aside from that, we enjoyed most of the food. Some highlights:
- Awesome thin chips served with three kinds of salsa. One was spicy, the other was verde and the third tasted faintly like beans and was served warm. Due to their thinness, it's hard not to plow into the entire bowl
- Chile Verde: Giant chunks of tender pork in a lovely house sauce. All the main entrees are served with your choice of white, pinto or black beans, rice AND tortillas. If you're afraid of carbs, what are you doing at a Mexican place anyway?
I could have done without the Tacos de Cachete (braised beef cheeks). They're a bit too heavy to start off an already meat-laden meal and since it came at the same time as our main courses, it was doubly difficult to finish. The Camarones (Garlic butter shrimp) were too firm and super acidic from the lime but palatable. I did dig that they were spicy though.
The leftovers were enough for a solid dinner the day after and the chile verde tasted even better then.
1785 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 440-7626
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 440-7626
Roam Artisan Burgers
Category:
Burgers
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
Organic, free-range, all-natural and grass-fed? Even down to the hot sauce? Yes but don't label this place as "granola," it's far from it. Roam Burgers manages to make what's generally classified as expensive high-end meat (bison, elk, grass-fed beef) into a completely accessible neighborhood burger joint.
I inhaled the Bison Sunny-Side Up burger that had a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg (organic of course) melding beautifully with caramelized onions and white cheddar. Once that egg yolk broke? All taste-bud hell broke loose. The fry-fecta is a great appetizer to share since it comes with fries, sweet potato fries and a zucchini onion haystack which is very lightly battered and shoestring style.
Then to top it all off, I nursed my delicious Blue Bottle Coffee Milkshake which was an awesome combo of dessert and coffee. It gets a bit busy but they're pretty quick about turning orders around. If you're feeling especially adventurous, sit outside under the heated lamps and watch the ridiculous and entertaining Marina nightlife unfold before you as you tuck into your artisan meal.
I inhaled the Bison Sunny-Side Up burger that had a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg (organic of course) melding beautifully with caramelized onions and white cheddar. Once that egg yolk broke? All taste-bud hell broke loose. The fry-fecta is a great appetizer to share since it comes with fries, sweet potato fries and a zucchini onion haystack which is very lightly battered and shoestring style.
Then to top it all off, I nursed my delicious Blue Bottle Coffee Milkshake which was an awesome combo of dessert and coffee. It gets a bit busy but they're pretty quick about turning orders around. If you're feeling especially adventurous, sit outside under the heated lamps and watch the ridiculous and entertaining Marina nightlife unfold before you as you tuck into your artisan meal.
401 NE Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-0767
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-0767
Ivar's Salmon House
Categories:
Seafood,
Lounges,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Wallingford
Hello, their Happy Hour is from 3 PM to Close. That's basically a Happy Evening and I am all over that like no one's business.
Before I became the seasoned Seattleite that I am now (I know, how pompous did that sound?), I used to think Ivar's was just a standard fast food joint. Fish and chips, big whoop. Then I came across their Salmon House while at UW and it just colored me wrong.
The Whalemaker's Lounge has a gorgeous view of Lake Union and downtown Seattle and they have parking AND outdoor seating on rare sunny days.
But hey, I'm here to talk about their Happy Hour.
- $1 oyster shooters nestled in tangy cocktail sauce w/ fresh lemon wedges
- $8 classic 3-piece fish and chips
- $5 bowls of steaming white chowder with oyster crackers and a sweet mini cornbread muffin
- Blackened salmon salad
- Fried clams, the list goes on and on
Take visitors, friends and family here, it's a wonderful taste of what Seattle has to offer all in one visit!
Before I became the seasoned Seattleite that I am now (I know, how pompous did that sound?), I used to think Ivar's was just a standard fast food joint. Fish and chips, big whoop. Then I came across their Salmon House while at UW and it just colored me wrong.
The Whalemaker's Lounge has a gorgeous view of Lake Union and downtown Seattle and they have parking AND outdoor seating on rare sunny days.
But hey, I'm here to talk about their Happy Hour.
- $1 oyster shooters nestled in tangy cocktail sauce w/ fresh lemon wedges
- $8 classic 3-piece fish and chips
- $5 bowls of steaming white chowder with oyster crackers and a sweet mini cornbread muffin
- Blackened salmon salad
- Fried clams, the list goes on and on
Take visitors, friends and family here, it's a wonderful taste of what Seattle has to offer all in one visit!
1207 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 568-1688
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 568-1688
HardWok Cafe
Categories:
Taiwanese,
Chinese,
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: International District
First, love the name. Any place willing to use puns like this is a-ok by me. Second, it blows the actual Hard Rock Cafe out of the water.
For such a wee little place, they have a solid selection of Taiwanese snacks, meals and drinks. It's like a mini (very mini) version of Facing East but in Seattle. That makes me uber happy.
My group came here for second dinner (what, you don't do second dinner?), and plowed right into oyster pancakes, pork burgers, popcorn chicken and a cold appetizer plate with seaweed, egg and marinated tofu. I could have done without the latter but everything else was delicious, scrumptious and satisfying. It's also perfect portions for sharing with a gaggle of super hungry Asian girls.
Also! This is the place that finally introduced me to the wonders of pudding bubble tea. As a huge bubble tea fanatic, I couldn't believe I hadn't tried this flavor before. They have actual pudding and non-intrusive tapioca balls. I consider that a success.
It's tucked into a strip mall in the International District underneath Seven Star Szechuan so get at it!
For such a wee little place, they have a solid selection of Taiwanese snacks, meals and drinks. It's like a mini (very mini) version of Facing East but in Seattle. That makes me uber happy.
My group came here for second dinner (what, you don't do second dinner?), and plowed right into oyster pancakes, pork burgers, popcorn chicken and a cold appetizer plate with seaweed, egg and marinated tofu. I could have done without the latter but everything else was delicious, scrumptious and satisfying. It's also perfect portions for sharing with a gaggle of super hungry Asian girls.
Also! This is the place that finally introduced me to the wonders of pudding bubble tea. As a huge bubble tea fanatic, I couldn't believe I hadn't tried this flavor before. They have actual pudding and non-intrusive tapioca balls. I consider that a success.
It's tucked into a strip mall in the International District underneath Seven Star Szechuan so get at it!
Jane is a brow threading goddess, she should seriously be inducted into some sort of aesthetician hall of fame. With a tough but engaging persona, she KNOWS what she's talking about. It doesn't hurt that she used to be a research scientist for a decade before she ventured into the world of beauty.
For $15, I got a completely thorough consultation as she explained how my natural brow shape could be maintained with a few simple tips. Within minutes, they were threaded and looking better than they ever had before. As a bonus, she also recommended some skin cleansing rituals and advised against getting a facial at my age.
Other salon owners would have tried to sell you in on unnecessary services but Jane prefers to thoughtfully educate her patrons and if they don't visit with skin problems in the future, she considers it a smashing success. She's honest and candid without crossing the line of hurting your feelings, a difficult line for most!
Overall, I would recommend her to just about anybody. She's more responsive to texts for appointments and is a one-woman show but if you're willing to traipse to Shoreline, she's 200% worth it.
For $15, I got a completely thorough consultation as she explained how my natural brow shape could be maintained with a few simple tips. Within minutes, they were threaded and looking better than they ever had before. As a bonus, she also recommended some skin cleansing rituals and advised against getting a facial at my age.
Other salon owners would have tried to sell you in on unnecessary services but Jane prefers to thoughtfully educate her patrons and if they don't visit with skin problems in the future, she considers it a smashing success. She's honest and candid without crossing the line of hurting your feelings, a difficult line for most!
Overall, I would recommend her to just about anybody. She's more responsive to texts for appointments and is a one-woman show but if you're willing to traipse to Shoreline, she's 200% worth it.
1356 E Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 979-7049
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 979-7049
Knee High Stocking Co.
Categories:
American (New),
Lounges
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Oh Knee High, it's been far too long since I've stood outside your nondescript door in my super fly cloche perched just so on my head. No seriously, I wore a cloche hat here. I think dressing for the part gets you fully immersed in the speakeasy experience. The gents who come here tend to sport suspenders and casual suit jackets. They even take your coats for you upon arrival. Needless to say, I love it!
If someone asks where there's a place to get unique drinks, I point them in this direction. Besides being cozy and the opposite of what's happening elsewhere in Capitol Hill, they have a killer selection of Prohibition-era style drinks. Take the Love & Violets for example, it's made with St. Germain, Creme de Violette and cherry bitters. That's classy stuff.
However, their speciality lies in these type of drinks, made with care and skilled mixology. I recommend branching out of the traditional ones you might think of like Tequila Sunrises. A friend ordered it as one of her safe choices but didn't like how it was prepared (too sweet she says).
I also get the giggles at the fun language they use in their reservation text conversations. One example I received was "We can seat a party of 5 at 12 am, does that suit your fancy?" To which I replied "Egads! Alas, we may be aslumber by then but thank you very much." Lesson learned, try to text more than a few hours in advance! The place holds maybe 30 people or less including the staff.
The only bummer was that they discontinued their delicious pretzels. Sad. Face. Show owner comment »
If someone asks where there's a place to get unique drinks, I point them in this direction. Besides being cozy and the opposite of what's happening elsewhere in Capitol Hill, they have a killer selection of Prohibition-era style drinks. Take the Love & Violets for example, it's made with St. Germain, Creme de Violette and cherry bitters. That's classy stuff.
However, their speciality lies in these type of drinks, made with care and skilled mixology. I recommend branching out of the traditional ones you might think of like Tequila Sunrises. A friend ordered it as one of her safe choices but didn't like how it was prepared (too sweet she says).
I also get the giggles at the fun language they use in their reservation text conversations. One example I received was "We can seat a party of 5 at 12 am, does that suit your fancy?" To which I replied "Egads! Alas, we may be aslumber by then but thank you very much." Lesson learned, try to text more than a few hours in advance! The place holds maybe 30 people or less including the staff.
The only bummer was that they discontinued their delicious pretzels. Sad. Face. Show owner comment »
1 Previous Review:
-
11/20/2010
Hands up if you had to Google what a speakeasy was. Oh wait, was that just me? My bad! Well KHSC (too many letters) isn't a real one per se but it's got all the charm of whatever I read on the wikipedia page.
First of all, we had to TEXT the establishment to see if 3 of us could traipse through. Bam. Busy. So we decided to hang around the hill for awhile and lo and behold, the server texted us back within 15-20 minutes saying "OMG, Please come by!"
We should have heeded her word more quickly because after waiting around to pay the bill at our current bar, we got to Knee High ONE MINUTE AFTER THEY GAVE THE ENTIRE BAR FREE SHOTS TO CHEER THE DEPARTING WAITRESS (aka the texter). T_T Tears! TEARS. Alas, we still managed to ring the doorbell of the nondescript door and say that we had reservations in order to breeze by the two gentlemen waiting in the cold outside who clearly didn't text. Eep.
Enjoyed a lovely gingery drink from their list of unique blends and admired the skills of the snazzily dressed bartender and friendly kitchen cook. Their kitchen is open until 1 AM, it's like a godsend for my constantly demanding appetite so we ordered up spicy, crispy knee high tots and a beautifully hot, fresh pretzel with a cheesy beer dip. I'm a gonna come back, gonna text their face and gonna enjoy more 1920's style drinks, style and flair of the Knee High Stocking Co.
CHEERS!
5253 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 524-0204
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 524-0204
Wayward Vegan Cafe
Categories:
Vegetarian,
Vegan
Neighborhood: University District
The food? Spectacular. The service? Pretty much non-existent but I suppose such is the nature of hole-in-the-wall breakfast joints. I stood there like a doof before realizing you have to grab your own utensils, coffee and bus your own dishes.
I'm a hard-core omnivore and the longest I've gone without eating meat is barely 24 hours. Bacon, ham and sausage were the furthest from my mind as I dug into the Country Bumpkin. I'd take their soft, perfectly seasoned scrambled tofu over boring eggs any day and their "sausage" gravy was savory awesomeness on top of their herb biscuit. The side of garlic steamed greens (I think kale?) was pretty bland though. So I grabbed the random curry powder and hot sauces on the table to take it up a notch.
Also stole bites of my friend's giant breakfast burrito and side of potatoes (they call 'em homefries). They do their potatoes right! Hot, crispy and seasoned on the outside, fluffy, 'melt in your mouth' action on the inside.
This is a blink and you miss it place even if you're looking for it. There's not very many vegan restaurants so impress your friends by bringing them here as a nice alternative from the ever-crowded Portage Bay and Voula's. Plus, you'll seem like a super cool in the know Seattleite!
I'm a hard-core omnivore and the longest I've gone without eating meat is barely 24 hours. Bacon, ham and sausage were the furthest from my mind as I dug into the Country Bumpkin. I'd take their soft, perfectly seasoned scrambled tofu over boring eggs any day and their "sausage" gravy was savory awesomeness on top of their herb biscuit. The side of garlic steamed greens (I think kale?) was pretty bland though. So I grabbed the random curry powder and hot sauces on the table to take it up a notch.
Also stole bites of my friend's giant breakfast burrito and side of potatoes (they call 'em homefries). They do their potatoes right! Hot, crispy and seasoned on the outside, fluffy, 'melt in your mouth' action on the inside.
This is a blink and you miss it place even if you're looking for it. There's not very many vegan restaurants so impress your friends by bringing them here as a nice alternative from the ever-crowded Portage Bay and Voula's. Plus, you'll seem like a super cool in the know Seattleite!
401 NE Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 365-2220
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 365-2220
Brow Art
Categories:
Day Spas,
Hair Removal,
Skin Care
Neighborhood: Northgate
As a "membership" holder, I expect above average service but instead, I feel as if I'm a second-class customer because I'm not paying full-price. You purchase 7 brow threading sessions ahead of time and they're good for a year. Unfortunately, my card expired with 2 punches left. I asked if I could still pay half price or even use just one punch before getting rid of the card but they said it was against their policy.
I understand if it's a fairly pricey procedure but their materials consist of thread, lotion and tweezers and takes all of 5 minutes. I've visited both Northgate and Federal Way and the woman at the Federal Way location was especially suspicious when I approached the stand with my card. She demanded to see my ID to "verify" my membership card before flat out refusing it. (Apparently people make counterfeit ones? Who knows). There's a kinder way to let me know it's against company policy but my feathers were mostly ruffled by her rudeness.
Frankly, you're much better off visiting some place like Khoobsurat in Kent (or similar). The women are fast, kind and skilled at the art of brow threading. They also charge $6 for brows, not $15 like the Brow Art kiosks. Please!!
I understand if it's a fairly pricey procedure but their materials consist of thread, lotion and tweezers and takes all of 5 minutes. I've visited both Northgate and Federal Way and the woman at the Federal Way location was especially suspicious when I approached the stand with my card. She demanded to see my ID to "verify" my membership card before flat out refusing it. (Apparently people make counterfeit ones? Who knows). There's a kinder way to let me know it's against company policy but my feathers were mostly ruffled by her rudeness.
Frankly, you're much better off visiting some place like Khoobsurat in Kent (or similar). The women are fast, kind and skilled at the art of brow threading. They also charge $6 for brows, not $15 like the Brow Art kiosks. Please!!
4527 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 497-7631
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 497-7631
Tea Republik
Category:
Tea Rooms
Neighborhood: University District
Does the U-District need more tea places? Sure, why the heck not. Make it tea central!
What makes Tea Republik stand out is its variety of offerings and mellow vibe. They have fragrant loose leaf tea served in cute little pots and giant iced teas infused with fresh fruit and juice. Consider it a more sophisticated cousin of bubble tea.
I tried the Tropical Rainforest (photo included) which had muddled limes and apple slices adorning a mountain of lightly sweetened tea/juice. The Lavender Earl Grey was refreshing and elegant as well; it's sweetened with creme and brown sugar. It's nice to be able to have two sizes to choose from too. The large only set me back $4. The large lasted me 3+ hours as I stayed glued to my laptop with their free wi-fi. My friend got a $4 hot tea and was able to split with a friend and both were quite satisfied.
They have some desserts available but no hot food as of yet. You might need to take a break from studying to wander down the Ave for food and come back. I like the layout and decorations but the space is mostly dominated by 2 person tables. It'd be nice to see another couch or bigger table in case friends want to have an elegant tea time.
What makes Tea Republik stand out is its variety of offerings and mellow vibe. They have fragrant loose leaf tea served in cute little pots and giant iced teas infused with fresh fruit and juice. Consider it a more sophisticated cousin of bubble tea.
I tried the Tropical Rainforest (photo included) which had muddled limes and apple slices adorning a mountain of lightly sweetened tea/juice. The Lavender Earl Grey was refreshing and elegant as well; it's sweetened with creme and brown sugar. It's nice to be able to have two sizes to choose from too. The large only set me back $4. The large lasted me 3+ hours as I stayed glued to my laptop with their free wi-fi. My friend got a $4 hot tea and was able to split with a friend and both were quite satisfied.
They have some desserts available but no hot food as of yet. You might need to take a break from studying to wander down the Ave for food and come back. I like the layout and decorations but the space is mostly dominated by 2 person tables. It'd be nice to see another couch or bigger table in case friends want to have an elegant tea time.
Listed in: It's a Bubbly Paradise
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Location
San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceOctober 2008
Things I Lovebuffalo wings, paddle boats, playgrounds at dusk, teal, slouchy hats, flea markets, bouncy things, bean bags, swings
Find Me InSeattle, WA
My HometownKenton
My Blog Or Website Why You Should Read My ReviewsBecause I'm smart. And I'm alecky.
My Second Favorite WebsiteSocial media has taken over my life
The Last Great Book I ReadDevil in the White City
My First ConcertSavage Garden at Bumbershoot
My Favorite MovieGarden State, The Fall, Fight Club, Pan's Labyrinth
My Last Meal On EarthKOREAN
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I moderated two Harry Potter fanboards in high school
Current CrushJoseph Gordon Levitt - long way from 3rd Rock
Wait wait. AND it's all organic, locally sourced, seasonal and they name their fish a la the chicken episode of Portlandia? (I made up the last part). These things are huge. The only way they resemble traditional sushi rolls is the seaweed on the outside, rice on the inside. The innards however, are a delicious cacophony of American, Mexican and Asian flavors. (Think fried cream cheese, pork belly, Japanese eggplant and jicama).
- Porkivore: They seriously mean porky business. I felt like I consumed at least three full pork bellies in one sushirrito. The swiss cheese was an unexpected touch and I liked the creamy avocado melding with the fatty pieces pork. It did leave a sheen of grease on my hands so expect to get a little down and dirty with this one. Would have amped up the spice factor though, it needed a little heat.
- The Yakuza: Their house speciality was the polar opposite of the porkivore. Fresh white fish and crispy green lettuce made it slightly lighter fare and more reflective of their fusion efforts. I never would have thought these combinations could have been made into giant hand held rolls, only in San Francisco ...
I flip-flopped between a 3 and 4 but this will probably require another trip or two before adjusting the review. We came at 1 pm and the line was still sizable but heard it can be much worse in the earlier lunch hours.