Bruce "Not as hip as he thinks he is" R.'s Profile

Okay fine, another 5 stars for a great SF Establishment.  Well, maybe it is just because I am usually only motivated by either really BAD service or really GOOD service.

JUST AWESOME GETS A STAR EACH FOR
- Enthusiasm
- Knowledge
- Welcome
- Selection
- Vibe

So yes . . . Just Awesome is, well, AWESOME.

Not really located it the most high-traffic part of Noe Valley, my family and I have stumbled into this place a few time since it opened in April.

My eldest daughter and I finally went in with intent to buy and tested out a few games in the back game area.  The guys were really helpful and you can tell they LOVE gaming of the board variety.  They gave us enough tips to get us started and enough room to play on our own.

I would highly recommend taking the kids - actual or the kid within - to this place and remember the fun times that can be had via a board game.  You can bet we'll be coming back to buy birthday gifts and play an occasional game.

Just FYI, this is not a D&D type place, but more of Settlers of Cataan, Ninja vs. Ninja, and Sets kind of place.

Just a minute I need a moment to myself.  

Okay.

I have heard about it, but this was my first time.  I walked into this great atmosphere, nice set-up and friendly folks and my eyes immediately were drawn to the chalk written menu and the "Raging Bull" sandwich.  

What is a "Raging Bull" you ask?  Oh only a delectable pile of roast beef, blue cheese, peppers, mustard and mayo.  Like a fine automobile or no-hitter in baseball, brilliant simplicity.  No . . . I dare say art for the taste buds.

And then I sat down to test out this new culinary relationship.

Bite #1 - OMG, I am in serious "like" here.
Bite #2 - Okay, don't move too fast here, but I think "love" is in the air.
Bite #3 - I'm moving to Sorrento's to start my secret second family.

Good golly it was good and I suppose I can share ;-)

the church where I pastor - yeah shameless plug - just moved into this district from Portrero Hill where Farley's was our hangout.  I knew the first think on the agenda was to find my new "office".  I had always known about Mama's but had never really spent any time here until recently.

UM . . . YUM . . . WOW . . . AWESOME

First things first . . . quite possibly the best Egg Bagel w/Ham sandwich I have ever had.  Certainly not good for you in the artery kind of way, but oh will your soul be grateful. Top it off with an iced coffee, get your free wifi on and you have yourself one heck of an Excelsior hang out.

And that is not even the best part - though free wifi and ice coffee are hard to beat - but the vibe here is all SF Excelsior district all the time.  This district is a constant rock concert in my opinion and it's people are the stars.  All the energy, color, edginess and beauty of the district can be found right here at Mama's.

Thank you Mama's it is great to know you!

Happened to be in Lake Tahoe to perform a wedding and stumbled upon this great indie cafe.  Just little bit of hippie SF in the heart of Lake Tahoe.  I walked into to an animated conversation with a customer lamenting that the mini-veggie burgers were no longer on the menu.  Upon explaining that they just did not sell very well, he responded with an arm-flailing, "You should have a big ass sign that says, 'veggie mini-burgers' are the best thing in the world!'"

I had an extremely yummy iced mocha and with a full meal menu looks like the other folks eating were having a grand ol' time!

Oh Coffee Bar, my new found love.

Maybe it is the bright open space?
Maybe it is the plentiful electrical outlets and room to work?
Maybe it is free wifi?
Maybe it is the good fairly-priced coffee?
Maybe it is the yummy foods?
Maybe it is the lack of unhealthy snarkiness replaced genuine humanity of the barristas?
Maybe it is the unspoken "No PC's" rule that exists?  Jokes people, sorta.

Maybe it just feels right, good and just?

Oh Coffee Bar, you are in my Top 3 SF Coffee places now!

See you later.  Don't ever change.

Yum and double Yum Yum.

After realizing that I had not partaken in a full Middle Eastern meal in a while, I went here with a Palestinian friend.  I figure if he'll eat here . . .

I had the mean combo and it was very good.

Hummus, Good.
Meat, Good.
Dessert, FREAKING AWESOME.
Turkish Coffee, still awake three days later.

Lunch or dinner, give it a try!

I had the privilege of preaching at Lewinsville PC while on a trip to the DC area.  What a warm and welcoming community.  Traditional in style it was a great group of folks that are seemingly eager to move into the future with great energy.  What a blessing to also have such rich history as part of the community.  I met quite a few folks who had been there for a while as long as many who were recent additions.  Always a good sign.

As of this post, they have an interim pastor and are looking for a new Head of Staff.  Give them a try as good things are surely ahead of them.

Disclaimer: I give every church a five just because not every church is perfect but it is a five to someone AND I will never review a church that I wouldn't try myself if I were looking.  No need to bad mouth freaky churches because they are uh, well, freaky.

I was part of a Saturday Questions and Answer Forum so I was not able to be in the their worship service to give any thoughts about that.  But . . . some of my favorite DC folks are part of this church so if they are there, there must be something worth checking out.  FPA seems like a well educated crew with programs for most demographics.  Located just walking distance from uber-cool mall area, this seems a great place to land if you live in the area.

Disclaimer: I give every church a five just because not every church is perfect but it is a five to someone AND I will never review a church that I wouldn't try myself if I were looking.  No need to bad mouth freaky churches because they are uh, well, freaky.

What an amazing presence of hope!  

I was able to spend the evening with this community during their Friday Jazz gathering.  Not a "worship service" in the traditional sense, but certainly a spiritual gathering of the community.  If you are in the DC area or are visiting, you must not miss out on the Friday PM event.  They also have a Monday Blues night as well as a worship service on Sunday's.  The pastors are uber-cool and really understand the history and needs of the community within which the church serves.

Give it a try if you are looking for a church community.

Disclaimer: I give every church a five just because not every church is perfect but it is a five to someone AND I will never review a church that I wouldn't try myself if I were looking.  No need to bad mouth freaky churches because they are uh, well, freaky.

I had the privilege of hanging out with the good folks at Clarendon an a recent trip to DC.  I basically crashed the Wii Kirk party where I was royally beaten in in pretty much everything Wii'esque.  They are a great group of folks who, from what I could tell, are multi-generational in make-up and progressive in politics and theology.  They have a beautiful sanctuary and a newly redone space so the building feels loved.  It is clear that they are not just about the building as many of the folks talked about their connections and service to the community as well.  If you are in Arlington and want a great family-style church, check them out!

Disclaimer: I give every church a five just because not every church is perfect but it is a five to someone AND I will never review a church that I wouldn't try myself if I were looking.  No need to bad mouth freaky churches because they are uh, well, freaky.