Erika "Kali" C.'s Profile

Any event that serves Ike's sandwiches gets an A++ in my book.  Combined with the Sagatiba cocktails, it doesn't get much better than that.

Sloane is a great space, from the upper level to the comfy couches below.  Although in a somewhat questionable area of town, it'll do for early evening cocktails that inevitably turn into late night dance parties.

I have yet to check out the "Chill Mix" I picked out of the bin, but I'm hoping for the best.  I just hope whoever received my uber hipster mix can say the same thing.  Thanks Ruggy for a great evening!

"Lemme get 6 Schlitzes"

And lo, 6 Schlitzes ended up in front of me.  I initially said it as a joke, but hey, when the bartender gives you 6 Schlitzes, you say thank you, pass them out to your 2 friends and head to the leaky waterbed nestled in the backseat of a hollowed out Chevy van. (leaky, but fun if you stay away from said leak.)

Yes, Kozy Kar is a unique bar with neked ladies plastered to the bar and floor, as well as lots and lots or car themed paraphernalia.  Cheap beers, plus good company equals a good time on a Saturday night.

I will say that the bar is pretty small, and even smaller when it's packed with people, but it's still good for a crazy night out.

They call this place the home of "ethnic confusion" food for a reason.  Eggplant enchiladas, Jamaican jerk chicken, and traditional Indian curries all share the same menu space, and they are all made fantastically.

Ashok and his family run a top notch joint with fresh ingredients and warm welcoming smiles, just the way I like it.  Granted it was a little cramped in the restaurant, but it made it feel more cozy and personal, like everyone was celebrating my Mom's birthday instead of just our table.

The prices are reasonable, the service impeccable,  and the food delicious.  Seriously, it was "lick your plate clean" delicious.  I'll definitely be back soon for seconds.

Thirds....maybe fourths....

The trick with Pizzeria Delfina is getting a good seat.  Sometimes you score huge - inside, by the window, 2 seater, BAM.  Sometimes, you have to settle for sitting outside, which can occasionally feel like you're the new baby panda at the zoo, and everyone is staring at you as they walk by the incredibly crowded sidewalk commenting "ohhh look how CUTE that pizza is, so delicious!  Mommy, I want one!  Can I have one PLEASE?"

No, stop eye-eating my pizza you vultures.  Leave the hungry panda alone.

But no matter where you sit, you'll still have the opportunity to dine on some delicious pizza.  Whether it be the prosciutto (NOM) or the napoletana, you're in for great meal.

Just try not to drool on my pizza.

Any time a family member comes into town, I see an immediate opportunity to dine at places that I and my bank account would normally be unable to enjoy.  So when my Auntie showed up on my doorstep the other day, I was not only excited to see her, but so was my tummy.

I bike past Range all the time, and I figured now was the time to give it a go.  Plus, it's got that nifty little Google map dot in front of it saying Gary Danko digs this place.  It's gotta be good, right?

Right.

The first thing I notice on the drink menu is that they serve Pimm's Cup; usually I get weird stares from waiters if I ask for a Pimm's (aka my favorite drink in the whole wide world), so it was nice for a change not to get a "huh?" look.

Their chicken dish is honestly one of the best chickens I have ever eaten, and my Auntie agreed.  I could eat that chicken everyday for a month and never get sick of it.  And the cornbread and bacon sides complimented it phenomenally.  My Mom had the salmon and she loved it as well.

I almost wish this place wasn't so close to my house so I wouldn't see it everyday, knowing I can't always eat here.  It's torture.  I'm gonna have to find a new route home.

Thai food rocks.

Thai food that delivers rocks even harder.

Guess who delivers rockin Thai food.  Bangkok 16.

You totally guessed that didn't you.  Gosh you're good.

We called our usual go-to Thai spot to order delivery.  For some reason, that spot decided that our house was now officially too far to go and told us they wouldn't deliver our food.  So they recommended Bangkok 16 to us.

Ok, A.) who refuses business and sends people to a competitor?  and B.) thank you for doing so.  Bangkok 16 is cheaper, faster, and just as tasty.

They're celebrating 21 years in the business right NOW with free spring rolls with delivery orders.  Icing on the cake.

Pro tip:  get there early and don't specify if you want to sit inside or out.  Especially if you're hungry.  Otherwise, prepare to wait.

Lucky for us, this place is an easy walk from my bf's place, and we got there about 5 minutes before the morning rush, got a nice table outside and were able to enjoy the sunny, warm morning.  Also enjoyed:  various designer dogs sniffing around my feet, firefighters cleaning their rig, and squealing babies.  Actually, scratch that last one.

Service was fast, food was delicious, and I got to experience Noe Valley at an ungodly hour (9am on a Saturday, don't judge me).

Whenever I find a flier on my windshield, I usually find the nearest trash can and get rid of it; 98% of the time the fliers are for porn, so when I saw an actual menu, I was surprised.  And it looked good on top of that, unlike most of the other fliers.  Brillz, I'm in.

I'm not well versed in BBQ, but I was advised to try the Carolina style pulled pork sandwich.  My boyfriend is from the South, and I have heard many times of the wonders of Carolina style nom-ness.  The mustard, the smoked pork, the mouth orgasm.  So when we picked up the sandwiches, I was rather disappointed.  Is this what all the fuss is about?

Apparently not.

No mustard sauce and there was coleslaw on the sando.  Is that normal?  It didn't taste that great, and it was kinda grossly soggy.  I feel bad because the people who work here are so nice, but they advertised a Carolina style sandwich, and it definitely was not it.  I'll prolly come back to try the ribs or something else, but I highly advise against the pulled pork sandwich.

The sweet tea was yummy though, I'll give them that.

I'm not from Newport Beach or any other Southern California town, but I knew what I'd see ahead of time when we rolled up to this place for lunch.  Fake boobs, fake tanned skin, fake blonde hair, and fake hospitality.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm an idiot for leaving my entire wallet....wherever it is (if you've seen it, let me know), but I, as well as the rest of our party did not have to be treated like we were miscreants and bad people because of it!

Our waitress pointed us towards an open high table so we could wait for our real table.  As she took drink orders, she asked for ID's.  I didn't order a drink, but was still required to show ID.  Because I did not have one, I was told loudly that I had to immediately leave the open air bar/food area and wait outside on the patio.  Not a problem, but you didn't have to scream at me about it like I was sitting there on purpose.  How am I supposed to know that this area was 21+ even though you have to walk through it to get to the other seating and bathrooms.

I'm 25 by the way, and look my age.

So not a problem, I take a seat outside like our waitress said, and my party joined me as well.  We found a great table in the front patio and sat down.  About 5 minutes later, a different waitress came out and told me to stand up.  She said that I don't have an ID, so I can't be sitting in the patio area, and said I need to leave.

2 things.  I was told to sit outside because I don't have an ID, so I did.  Now I'm being asked to move AGAIN because I'm not outside enough, even though I'M OUTSIDE ALREADY.  Clearly waitress #1 told waitress #2 to boot me out, otherwise how would she even know?

So now I've been humiliated twice and I feel like awful because our party of 8 has had to move numerous times because of me.  If the waitress had told me in the first place that certain parts of the patio are for people with IDs only, there would have been no problem.  When I told her this, she replied "well, I didn't design the building, not my problem".

Are.You.Kidding.Me?

The food was good but  overpriced, and I'm still blown away by the lack of customer service and  zero hospitality these people have.  Yes, I know I didn't have my ID and I didn't "belong" in the bar area, but waitress #1 could have been nicer about it instead of getting in my face and telling waitress #2 to further kick me out and make a scene.

People wonder why there is such animosity between SoCal and NorCal.  I think the waitresses at Javier's are where it stems from.

I came here with my family and my boyfriend so they could finally (FINALLY) meet each other.  Needless to say, I was a little nervous.  But nothing diffuses awkward situations like strong margaritas and tasty Mexican food, right?

Right?  Anyone?

If tequila is your shtick, then come to Tres Agaves to gander at the crazy amount of tequila they have behind the bar.  You name it, they prolly have it.  They use that tequila to make yummy margarita's too, which I gulped down prior to the family meeting us.  Part 1 of my mission: complete.

But after drinking said margarita(s), pay your tab and leave.  The food is pretty bland and pricey, and I think I uttered the phrase "(taqueria in mission) has better (salsa/enchiladas/everything)" more than 3 times.  Part 2 of mission: incomplete.

If you're still set on coming for the margaritas, they have a $4 beer/margarita special that goes from first pitch to last during Giants games.  Only time it's really worth the price of admission.

On a positive note, everyone got along just fine and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be.  Except for my brother, who just sat there all hungover like the entire time, much to the scorn of my parents.  Thanks for taking the pressure off me bro, I (prolly don't) owe ya!