Sheila "Admitting you have an addiction is the first step" Y.'s Profile

Still love Afterwards years later.  Went in today and had to tear myself away from a red bombshell Alexander McQueen and Fuchsia Roland Mouret....Waiting...Waiting for one more markdown and then I plan on swooping in on these 2 lovelies....

Aside from this, Afterwards scores have made me the Belle of the Ball on many occasions and that feeling my dears is priceless.

Gaelic Moving rocks!  We had what I thought was an easy move, but after two stops in the city for additional furniture, it turned into a more complicated process.  These guys worked through everything with ease.  They are the kind of guys you hope to run into in the city for a pint....Cheers gentlemen!

It's worth every darn star!  I am seriously  contemplating taking trips to Sacramento all the way from the Bay just for his smoked salmon sandwich and melted brie appetizer.

Imagine your favorite sushi joint.  Then imagine your favorite Sake Nigiri.  Now transpose this into a toasted chewy baguette, slathered butter, creme fraiche and in my case caramelized onions.  Ah-Maz-ing!  Side salad was decent, but the entree salads looked really great.  

I have only been here once, but if I had the money to bank roll this place I would beg the chef to come to the City!  We need it!

I was heartbroken when Sushi Sho closed on Solano and when underground food friends recommended this place, the sig other and I made it a point to go.  Just got home from dinner and felt compelled to Yelp about it.

First off, he grates Fresh Wasabi for each piece of nigiri.   He serves it piece by piece to let each fish sing.  Butterfish, Salmon, Kampachi, Geoduck....it was all beyond fresh and exactly what Nigiri should be.  All you taste is the beautiful flavor of the sea with a smooth and buttery mouth feel.  The rice is a harmonious compliment to the fish, with just the right amount of wasabi...so really no need to add.  I actually just took each piece, inverted it to dip a tiny corner into the soy sauce and straight down the hatch!  Sushi perfection.

My only complaint was the Kama....but I must confess I like my Kama almost under cooked.  Soft and tender, not fully cooked as it is here.

I would also like to confront the attitude complaints of others.  This husband/wife team was very welcoming and friendly.  BF and I were given pieces before all others sitting at the bar as if newcomers were served first.  The wife always checked on us and was extremely helpful.

If you claim to love sushi, then you must put this at the top of your list...best sushi in the East Bay and I dare say the Bay Area!

Meh.
I have been by this place a million times and the significant other (with Italian cred) loves the design of this place.  I will give it that much.  Its design-oriented, but almost in an uncomfortable post modern sort of way.  

I went by myself, which is a great test for a restaurant.  I was not relegated to a corner so that was a plus, but there were too many other negatives to make this place shine.  First off, the menu is totally uninspiring.  Its a really bad sign when you look over the Aperitivo, Primi and Secondi and come out with one or two dishes that may pass the test, but combined do not make beautiful music.  

I finally ended up with a disharmonious meal.  I started with the tuna tartare (I know...I know) and then ended with their anchovy focaccia.  The tartare was straight up awful.  It was not spoiled, but it might as well have been.  Uninspired one note tartare with grapefruit pieces smattered on top.  To make matters worse, they pulled out the early '90s balsamic plate decoration that did nothing for the dish.  Yuck.

The only saving grace was the focaccia.  Presentation wise it falls flat, but once you cut into the bread a beautiful creamy cheese oozes out.  That mixed with the anchovy, tomato sauce and chewy focaccia melds perfectly in my mouth.

I thought desert would either push this meal in one or the other direction.  I went with the Affogato with their bittersweet chocolate gelato.  It was o-k.  Mediocre pulled shot that matched the bitterness of the gelato.  I guess I would have been fine if it was on the menu for $4, but at $8 it had better be the best Affogato ever (BTW...its at Blue Bottle with Humphry Slocombe ice cream).

Service was too cool for school, but attentive so it keeps the star level at three.

Folks, this is SF.  There are TONS of better Italian restaurants so save your $71/per person and hit up something else.

Dear Anthony,

Your cookies make me break every diet promise I have made myself since the beginning of the New Year.  I buy not one, not two, but as many as I can of your delectable morsels.  Walnut chocolate chip for when I feel traditional, Oatmeal raisin for my granola side and cookies and cream for my inner child.
I diligently pack them away in the kitchen and get into bed, resolved to save some for the morning.  After half an hour of tossing and turning I realize your cookies are keeping me from sleep.
I then wake, zombie walk to the kitchen and ingest said cookies, allowing for the most peaceful of rests.
Thanks a lot Anthony ;)

I will preface this review by identifying myself as Persian...hence biased ;)

As is the case with most restaurants, some things are awesome and others are totally underwhelming.

The stars at Shalizaar include the complimentary bread that is baked in their brick-style oven.  Persian food is accentuated by the bread and please be sure to use it during your whole meal....go ahead and wrap your Kobideh in the bread and scoop up your Kaskh e Bademjan.

But I must say the best dish here is their grilled cornish game hens with their house special beef dish.  Its waay better than the Barg or Kobideh, but both are decent.

Make sure to add a pat of butter to your rice, smash a tomato into it and get a side of yogurt....Put all these into a nice mound on your spoon and top with the grilled meat....divine!

PS...just finish your meal with tea...the deserts are just o-k.

This place is the original BB on crack.  Its got even more of an ethnic food selection and the food court is amazing.  I must say its my favorite Sunday morning breakfast spot.  Don't be fooled by the other breakfast choices....go for the English Muffin with the over easy egg, bacon, cheddar and arugula.
The produce section is much more organized and less frantic than the original.  You can actually push a cart through the aisles if need be and there is less of a "angry hippy" crowd.

All in all....this place has now become THE place to grocery shop in the East Bay!

Second times a charm at this place.
Heres what you do:
1.  Order a full pie...whatever you do don't succumb to the single slice.
2.  Feel free and order any of the pastas....all good.
3.  Polenta fries are a go.
4.  Wash it all down with any of the beers they have available.
If you follow any of these, you will have a great meal at Pi Bar.

Worst management ever!

I'm serious when I say my friends and I will have a celebratory toast when this place thankfully kicks the dust.  Market Bar only benefits from its Ferry Building locale, but the absolutely SUB-PAR food and cheap wine always made me an unwilling participant in any event at this place.

The final straw was last week when a timing mishap led two members of our party to miss their Ferry.  Instead of apologizing or trying to make amends (with a group that spend over $300), the manager came over and made excuses that the computer system is complicated.  Its so complicated that it charges two cards 3X each!
After the ferry party asked for a free carafe of wine, the manager refused and became increasingly ruder.  After about a minute or two more, he ends up raising his voice to a woman in our party and asking us to leave!

When I called the next day to speak to the general manager he was equally unbelievable.  Once again, another person making excuses instead of trying to mend bridges.  

This place is the WORST.....please go a block away and patronize restaurants and bars with customer service....not customer abuse!