Lily "The Angry Asian" S.'s Profile

Hmm...Artusi.  

The first time I came here w/ a group of people, our server was less than thrilled to be waiting on us.  Also, it was 1am and some of us were already 3 sheets in.  So I get it.

This time I showed up for happy hour.  This server was lovely, very sweet.  Not super attentive, but there were a bunch of us sitting at the bar so I totally understand!  

Happy hour wine - $3!  That is cheap!  A tiny carafe shows up in front of me that I pretty much drink in 2 gulps.  Now I know why it's $3.  This will not stop me from coming back b/c everyone knows how I'm a sucker for little carafes.  I can't help myself...they're just so cute.
Brussels sprouts salad - was expecting it to be served warm, but it was cold.  I can get behind that.  But I didn't really like the dressing it came with - nor the dried fruit that was in the dressing.  The overall salad taste was a wee bitter for me.  
Fried capers - now, I loves me some capers.  So I was even more excited to try a FRIED caper.  Did not really like.  They were bitter.  I was sad.  I put them in my brussels sprouts salad thinking that would help.  It did not.  

You could say I struck out a bit on this night.  
That being said, I will probably come back.  Maybe not for any of the above items, but most likely for a few of those cute little carafes of wine.

I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I had heard about Pole for the Soul.  It might've been via Craigslist, but don't quote me on that.   It was over 3 years ago, gimme a break - my brain doesn't retain as much as it used to!

In any case, I am so thankful I did!  Krisha is a GENIUS.  She not only made us feel very comfortable, but she was also our personal cheerleader - which is great when you feel awkward and un-sexy in front of a group of women...or you can't walk in 4 inch heels - but hey, if your instructor as well as your peers are cheering you on, you can damn well bet that you'll feel like a model walking the runway by the time you leave your first couple of classes!  

That being said, I learned some awesome tricks and also built up some strength - I also have a whole new huge ass respect for those that do work the pole for a living cuz that shit ain't easy!  

So if you're a female looking for a new way to workout that doesn't include a sweaty gym, might I suggest Krisha's classes - you will be stronger and more confident that ever!

Also, the new studio is AWESOME!  Go check it out!

Tangerine Tree is the ole standby to Pho Cyclo b/c a) it's 2 blocks away and b) it's open later than normal pho places.  Or maybe I just think they're open later.
So there's THAT.

But also, they have really good tofu fresh rolls and their pho is yummy yummy in my tummy.
I would like there to be more pieces of tofu in my pho, but I can't really complain - it's still warm, tasty, broth with veggie goodness floating inside of it.

Also, they play ridiculous music.  BTW, It'll be like walking back in time if you come here to eat...which I kind of love, and kind of hate - but makes for amusing background noise.

So go visit and see what you think.  As I said w/ another pho place, it ain't no Pho Cyclo, but it'll do when I'm in a bind!

I can't get behind Chino's.  I just can't.  I'm trying.  I'm really really trying.  

Case in point:

- boiled peanuts:  when I've had boiled peanuts in the past (in the south, in asia, etc), they are usually hot.  These were not.  They tasted like they'd (obviously) been boiled...and then put in the fridge.  Also, not a lot of taste to them.  Where was the 5-spices I was so craving?  No clue.
- the gua bao - we got them w/ tofu.  I think they needed a bit more...uumph to them.  They were a bit on the dry side.

I was really excited for Chino's to complete their build out and open up but for me, it's been rather lackluster thus far.  Sorry guys...maybe it's b/c I don't care for pork or maybe it's b/c I'm pretty picky when it comes to dishes like these.  I'll still pop in for a cocktail or some furikake popcorn, but that's about it.

I can, however, say that their bartender kicks ass.  She's amazing, so if you want to pop in and have a cocktail, PLEASE DO - b/c she will do you right.

Oh Momiji.  I think I've visited you every week since opening.  I love you.  Don't ever change.  Just continue to serve amazing sushi.

Also, continue to serve hot sake during both happy hours.

That is all.

I obviously have some time today to catch up on my 2 month hiatus from reviews.  Don't tell anyone, though.

While I don't love frosting...on ANYTHING, I really like the cupcakes here.  Sometimes I scrape the frosting off and pass it onto the person I'm with, sometimes I pick thru it and actually eat it.  But that's neither here nor there.  I'm here to tell you what I really like.  And those are the cupcakes - in general.  They are light, fluffy, and tasty in my mouth.  I heart them and I'm not a sweets person.

Also, the coffee is quite good - not too strong, not bitter....just...good.

And the service?  IMPECCABLE.  They are the friendliest staff I've ever dealt with - maybe it's b/c their shop is so stinkin' cute to work in or maybe it's b/c they get to be around the yummy smells of cupcakes, who knows.  But they are damn friendly and adorable and I will continue to buy cupcakes from them when I'm too lazy to make them myself.
Which is often.

So I'll see you guys in a little bit b/c now I want a cupcake!

I LOVE YOU SENOR MOOSE.  

I am so sorry it's taken me *this many* years to visit your restaurant.  How did I not know that you would be so amazeballs?

We had chilequiles and papas con rajas and let me just tell you...it was SO FREAKING GOOD.  It was like a magical party in my mouth and although I was so full when we left (with leftovers WHAT!), I was so so so happy.

So thank you, Senor Moose.  I cannot brag enough about you.  I will be back.  Maybe for dinner this time around.  

You complete me.

Did.  Not.  Love.

Was very excited to try their mac n cheese that I've heard so much about, but they were out of it and a burger just wasn't what I needed that nite.
So I ordered the Lunchboxer.  Yes, I said "Lunchboxer."  

Hmm...there was a giant stack of caramelized onions on my salad, as well as what was allegedly pan fried turkey.  It looked and tasted like turkey from a lunchables type of meal.  Not a lot of dressing on my wilted greens.  

This made me sad b/c I really wanted to love them, but I wound up not liking my meal at all.  But I picked thru it...b/c this big bitch of a salad cost $13 and I was not gonna let that go (completely) to waste.  

Maybe I'll stop by again and try a sandwich or burger.  Maybe.  And maybe this time they won't be out of their mac n cheese.

I don't know how I haven't reviewed Canon yet.  
Like Katy, I thought I'd miss Licorous a lot, but then we wandered into Canon and I thought, "Everything is going to be just fine."

And it was.  Why?  b/c they have a lovely drink called The Italian Buck.  Don't ask, just order it.  It comes w/ a pretty cool St Germaine metal spoon/straw thing (DO NOT TAKE THESE HOME W/ YOU!  You can order your very own online!), which is really weird to drink out of, but it works for that particular cocktail.

They also have a great cheese and meat plate, as well as these gnocchi pillow thingys that we ordered.  Really.  Really.  Good.

My advice?  Go.  Try it out.  Even if you had mad crazy love for Licorous.  b/c you'll love it.  Just like I did.

Three words:  Espresso Doppio Martini

DUDE.  It was like dessert before dinner.  You must order this.  Unless you plan on sleeping that nite.  Which I did not so much.  But hell, it was worth it - it was DEEEE-LISH.

As a table we had:
Baked eggplant as an app

One person ordered the pork jowls, another had the beef ravioli, C had the crab ravioli, and I ordered the fettucine w/ black pepper sauce, shrimp, and porcinis.

TEH YUMZ.  All of it.  ALL.  OF.  IT.

We were stuffed to the gills (I had leftovers - HURRAH!) when we left!  I heart this place.  I wanna come back and try their brunch - BLOODY MARYS!

Who's with me?