Robert M.'s Profile

Note:  PRIVATE CLUB

Played last week on 10/27.  Course was in great shape with the exception of fairway work on the first hole.  It's definitely a wonderful track.  If you've ever played the Ranch at Silver Creek (the worst track ever built) this course has the same amazing hillside views but the course is actually playable.  Where the nearby Ranch is flat out ridiculous (hidden bunkers, roll-off fairways, etc.) Boulder Ridge is still tough but very fair.  I will say that there are two holes, 12 and 13, that look like they were an afterthought.  However, you won't find yourself losing a dozen balls out here and if you move up a tee box (or two) it can be a lot of fun.  The greens were incredibly fast the day we were there and three-putts were far too regular an occurence.  My partner was 20 yds short of the green with his tee shot on 10.  Crazy downhill fairway makes the hole driveable for monster hitters.  

The clubhouse and facilities are top-notch and brand new.  The Mens locker room is well appointed with showers, lockers, TV room.  We were able to use a credit card since neither of us is a member yet which is not possible somewhere like Olympic Club.  Speaking of, I wore the shorts I wear at Olympic Club and the pro shop guy made me buy a new pair because mine had outside pockets.  A little ridiculous given that they are golf shorts, but something to remember.  Slacks or no-pocket golf shorts are mandatory.  (Funny note: everyone in the clubhouse was wearing a baseball cap indoors.  This would NEVER fly at other country clubs.  Not sure why it's a pocket that makes everyone freak out.)

The membership fees are insanely low compared to the Peninsula.  With Menlo at $150k and Sharon Heights around $250k, this place is a steal.  It's non-equity, but quite honestly, I'd rather pay 1/10th the price.  I'm not sure if they would pass through assessments, but if they don't all the more reason to join.  If I didn't live literally steps from Menlo Country Club, I would join Boulder Ridge in a heartbeat.

Just visited for the first time and had a haircut and manicure.  (My first manicure, fyi)  Allie was fantastic.  She listened to what I wanted done with my hair and then executed perfectly.  I hate the standard old "business" hair cut.  She did a great job creating something that looks totally respectable while not looking like I'm a stuffed shirt wearing a pin-striped suit.  The manicure was fantastic.

One of those out of the way treasures you find once every so often.  The pizza here puts Applewood's in Menlo Park to shame.  Plus the staff here are about 1,000 times nicer.  We are always ordering stuff that's not on the menu (courtesy of our daughter who is very picky) and they never tell us that it's a problem.  A+ for quality, service and price.

Every retail business owner needs to take a lesson from this place.  Blaine picked up my prior review and contacted me.  He then offered to fix the situation and did so promptly.  The replacement salad was exactly as expected.

My hats off to someone who takes enough pride to know that occasionally mistakes are made and then takes the steps to fix them.  I went from a disgruntled customer to someone who will consistently visit and recommend Patxi's to anyone looking for lunch/dinner in the Palo Alto area.  

BTW, the Chicago-style deep dish pizza is awesome and they have a nice selection of beers.

Okay, this is freaky.  I walked in today at exactly 12 Noon to pick up my phone-in order.  No one in line.  Hardly anyone in the place.  Strange...

Haven't had a bad sandwich here yet.  Store is incredibly small, but reminiscent of the tiny bodegas that spot the areas around lower Manhattan.  In fact, it is a dead copy of a deli at the corner of Cedar and Trinity across from Zuccotti Park.

How in the world could anyone possibly give this place less than five stars???  Seriously!  BRING CASH or go home hungry!

Gosh darn it, I feel really bad about this one.  I drug a friend all the way down here just so I could play the course at least once and add it to my Yelp reviews.  I owe him my continued apology.

The guy in the pro shop was awesome as my friend showed up late.  However, he didn't make a big deal out of it like some schmucks at other courses.  

The course is in pretty bad shape.  (We played the Gabilan course)  One fun note, the website mentions "enjoy the fast rounds and quick pace of play."  BULL.....  We were behind a threesome with NO ONE in front of them.  The round took four hours and 30 minutes because these geriatric SOBs refused to let us play through even we teed off 30 min after them but caught them on the third tee box.  

The fairways are a mix of whatever grass seems to grow.  The bunkers are ill-defined and the sand is fairly thin.  There are back-to-back Par 5s which I've never seen before.  You sometimes drive FOREVER to get from one hole to another.  The tee boxes had so much sand on them that someone ahead of us made a little sand castle on the 17th tee box.  We found a cheap tee time on http://Golfnow.com, so that made it a little less painful.

If I lived down here and could play for $20, I might come back.  Otherwise, take your money and head to San Juan Oaks Golf Club.

Hands down, the best Chinese food on the Peninsula.  The wife loves the Kung Pao (extra hot) while my personal favorite is a tie between the General's Chicken and the Beef Noodles.

Love everything about this place.  One hidden secret most don't seem to know about: they make hot breakfast every morning.  Awesome eggs, sausage, huevos rancheros, omelets.....dang, now I'm hungry.