Leah "Doing Great But On Yelp Hiatus" E.'s Profile
Date
1 Market Plz
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5577
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5577
One Market Restaurant
Categories:
American (Traditional),
American (New)
Neighborhood: SOMA
Listed in: Just Me and My Girls, My Fabulous Meals
Memorial Day Weekend Getaway 2011
8 months, 2 weeks and 5 days.
Same old. Same old. I did not really miss it but I got bored. I needed variety.......
So after months of meat deprivation, I finally did it. I broke my seafoodtarian diet and I ate meat for the first time.
I wanted to celebrate my self-imposed torture and newly found knowledge that I had some self-control left. I just did not want to eat some random nasty processed meat product after this bout of temporary insanity.
As my first carnivore meal, I had the 7 oz RIBEYE STEAK at Six Peaks Grille. I know I have been deprived but I have not forgotten how a good steak should taste like. The steak was medium rare, juicy, almost melt in your mouth tender and so full of flavors. ($16) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A PEPPERCORN SAUCE was served on the side but the steak was good without the extra help. That's when you know the meat is of good quality.
My fiance had the same thing. He had the MASHED POTATOES as a side dish while I had the BROCCOLINI. Both were simple but good. ($5 each)
I guess once a seafoodtarian will always be a seafoodtarian. I kept on going back to seafood and ordered DIVER SCALLOPS as our appetizer. Our server warned us that one order might not be enough. Why? Because these scallops were so perfectly seared and deliciously seasoned. They just melted in our mouth. And only 2 came per order accompanied by yummy onion crisp. ($13) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I had the BERRY BELLINI while my guy had the MOJITO. My bellini would have been yummy if not for slightly tasting like cough syrup. It was still good, though. We were not sure if it was because of being in a high altitude or the strong alcohol or combination of both but we both got pretty intoxicated during dinner!
We were full but we were given a "passport" for free dessert for every entree when we checked in:
*FRIED NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM: Individually fried scoop each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream and coated with rice crispies. A variety of texture and temperature going on at the same time. Pretty and yummy dessert! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*3 MINI CUPCAKES: We had to take them home. Even after the next day they were still fresh, delish and not dry.
DECOR:
Six Peaks Grille's decor is attractive enough but generic. The designers probably felt like they could not compete with nature's own beauty that surrounds the place. We were seated by the window and dined while fluffy snowflakes were falling. We had a view of the mountains and the outdoor patio with a big fire on the fireplace while it was snowing. As we were eating dinner, our surroundings were being covered in whiteness and softness except for the colors of fire in the fireplace. It was so quiet and serene. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Our server, Lucci, was top-notch. His services were comparable to fine dining at fancier restaurants.
LOWDOWN:
I appreciate Six Peaks Grille's thoughtfulness in putting together a delicious menu on top of the mountain in the middle of nowhere. Seeing the world slowly being covered in white fluffy snowflakes added to the magic of our meal. A table by the window is a must when dining at Six Peaks. Do not settle for anything less!
Tab: $98 including tax, 2 drinks, 2 complimentary desserts before tip.
(The Breakfast Buffet was so-so. At $18 per person, it was just 2 notches above continental breakfast including an omelete station. Unless you have a big appetite for okay breakfast, I will skip the buffet and go to Sweet Potatoes instead. It is a cafe that sells scrumptous pastries and coffee.)
4.65 Stars.
8 months, 2 weeks and 5 days.
Same old. Same old. I did not really miss it but I got bored. I needed variety.......
So after months of meat deprivation, I finally did it. I broke my seafoodtarian diet and I ate meat for the first time.
I wanted to celebrate my self-imposed torture and newly found knowledge that I had some self-control left. I just did not want to eat some random nasty processed meat product after this bout of temporary insanity.
As my first carnivore meal, I had the 7 oz RIBEYE STEAK at Six Peaks Grille. I know I have been deprived but I have not forgotten how a good steak should taste like. The steak was medium rare, juicy, almost melt in your mouth tender and so full of flavors. ($16) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A PEPPERCORN SAUCE was served on the side but the steak was good without the extra help. That's when you know the meat is of good quality.
My fiance had the same thing. He had the MASHED POTATOES as a side dish while I had the BROCCOLINI. Both were simple but good. ($5 each)
I guess once a seafoodtarian will always be a seafoodtarian. I kept on going back to seafood and ordered DIVER SCALLOPS as our appetizer. Our server warned us that one order might not be enough. Why? Because these scallops were so perfectly seared and deliciously seasoned. They just melted in our mouth. And only 2 came per order accompanied by yummy onion crisp. ($13) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I had the BERRY BELLINI while my guy had the MOJITO. My bellini would have been yummy if not for slightly tasting like cough syrup. It was still good, though. We were not sure if it was because of being in a high altitude or the strong alcohol or combination of both but we both got pretty intoxicated during dinner!
We were full but we were given a "passport" for free dessert for every entree when we checked in:
*FRIED NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM: Individually fried scoop each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream and coated with rice crispies. A variety of texture and temperature going on at the same time. Pretty and yummy dessert! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*3 MINI CUPCAKES: We had to take them home. Even after the next day they were still fresh, delish and not dry.
DECOR:
Six Peaks Grille's decor is attractive enough but generic. The designers probably felt like they could not compete with nature's own beauty that surrounds the place. We were seated by the window and dined while fluffy snowflakes were falling. We had a view of the mountains and the outdoor patio with a big fire on the fireplace while it was snowing. As we were eating dinner, our surroundings were being covered in whiteness and softness except for the colors of fire in the fireplace. It was so quiet and serene. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Our server, Lucci, was top-notch. His services were comparable to fine dining at fancier restaurants.
LOWDOWN:
I appreciate Six Peaks Grille's thoughtfulness in putting together a delicious menu on top of the mountain in the middle of nowhere. Seeing the world slowly being covered in white fluffy snowflakes added to the magic of our meal. A table by the window is a must when dining at Six Peaks. Do not settle for anything less!
Tab: $98 including tax, 2 drinks, 2 complimentary desserts before tip.
(The Breakfast Buffet was so-so. At $18 per person, it was just 2 notches above continental breakfast including an omelete station. Unless you have a big appetite for okay breakfast, I will skip the buffet and go to Sweet Potatoes instead. It is a cafe that sells scrumptous pastries and coffee.)
4.65 Stars.
Listed in: Tourist in my Own Backyard, Steaks, Barbecues, et al, My Fabulous Meals, 2011 Saturday Date Nights
1960 Squaw Valley Rd
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(800) 403-0206
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(800) 403-0206
Squaw Valley
Categories:
Ski Resorts,
Active Life,
Specialty Schools
Weekend Getaway: Memorial Day Weekend 2011
The VIII Winter Olympic Games was held in Squaw Valley in 1960. And to this day the symbolic torch is still burning at the gates of this resort.
There is no arguing that Squaw Valley's view is beyond breathtaking. This weekend, my fiance and I stayed at this resort. The resort is situated 8200 ft above sea level. It is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, expansive valley for all kinds of games in the snow and hundreds of majestic pine trees. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The hotel itself was handsome and large with wraparound amazing views of the valley. The building was constructed of rocks, timber and exposed beams. And lucky for us, it snowed on the day we were there. I am talking about big, fat, fluffy snowflakes from early afternoon until early morning! It was such a treat for us snow-deprived Californians!!!! http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
HOTEL SUITE:
We stayed at a suite that resembled more like a beautiful one bedroom apartment than a hotel room. There were plenty of doors that separated the bedroom from the kitchen and living room area. The interior decoration was wood and stone -- classy and tasteful.
*KITCHEN: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The kitchen was well-stocked with every kitchen whachamacalits that are necessary to prepare a foodie dinner such as plate settings for 8, plenty of wine glasses, tea kettle, pots/pans, coffeemaker, etc. It is equipped with a dishwasher, stove, microwave, fridge, etc.
*LIVING ROOM/DINING AREA: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The living room had a gas fireplace that was so warm and cozy.The couches were plush and fluffy. It came with a flatscreen TV and CD player. It was so nice to drink tea and warm up by the fireplace after a day in the snow! There was a wood dining table with 4 leather chairs for entertaining.
* BATHROOM:
Huge beautiful bathroom with plenty of wood cabinets and stone flooring. The shower has double showerheads and is separate from a deep tub. Herbal bath products and plenty of fluffy towels were provided.
*BEDROOM: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The bedroom was cozy and with a smaller flat screen TV. The bed was comfortable enough with too many big pillows.
RESORT AMENITIES:
The resort has shops, a spa and 4 restaurants on site. A shuttle runs every half an hour for pick up/drop off at the Village where there are pubs and music events, etc. Activities at the resort include movie nights, chess games, etc. Otherwise aside from skiing and other snow games, be content to enjoy the quiet serenity the valley and mountain offer.
SWIMMING IN THE SNOW: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The highlight of our stay at Squaw Valley was swimming in the pool that was surrounded by the snow and while it was snowing! After dinner we changed into our swimming suit and robe and braved the 40 ft trek to the outdoor pool and hot tub.
Most people were huddled in the hot tub. Although the surroundings were beautiful with the mountains, pine trees and snow all around us, the chatter took away the serenity.
People thought I was crazy when I left the tub and decided to swim in the pool. The pool was big but only 4 ft deep. Although it was heated, it was still cold. I floated in the water and it was just me, the sky and the falling snow. The experience was a beautiful paradox -- like sweet and salty, pleasure and pain; hot and cold in the literal sense. It was invigorating!!! It was magical two hours in the water. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I would love to go back in the wintertime and do it all over again. I hope it snows heavily again, and I still have the guts to do it again! And who knows I might even hit the bunny slopes next time.
RATE: $264 which includes $150 Living Social Deal with a free bottle of Talus wine, 2 free buffet breakfasts, 25% off spa (w/c we did not use), free valet plus extra $70 upgrade for priceless view and fireplace and tax. (If you see this deal repeat itself, go for it! It is so worth it!)
RECOMMEND:
*Suite with fireplace and view of the valley. Pay for the upgrade. So worth it!
*Dinner at the Six Peak Grill. Window seats are a must!
SKIP:
*Unless included, skip the $18 pp breakfast buffet st Six Peaks. (Meh!)
*Eat at Sweet Potato Deli instead for nice pastries and coffee.
When we woke up in the morning, when we looked out our hotel window, the world was so quiet and peaceful. Everything was white and covered in snow.
Amazingly, breathtakingly, beautiful.
The VIII Winter Olympic Games was held in Squaw Valley in 1960. And to this day the symbolic torch is still burning at the gates of this resort.
There is no arguing that Squaw Valley's view is beyond breathtaking. This weekend, my fiance and I stayed at this resort. The resort is situated 8200 ft above sea level. It is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, expansive valley for all kinds of games in the snow and hundreds of majestic pine trees. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The hotel itself was handsome and large with wraparound amazing views of the valley. The building was constructed of rocks, timber and exposed beams. And lucky for us, it snowed on the day we were there. I am talking about big, fat, fluffy snowflakes from early afternoon until early morning! It was such a treat for us snow-deprived Californians!!!! http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
HOTEL SUITE:
We stayed at a suite that resembled more like a beautiful one bedroom apartment than a hotel room. There were plenty of doors that separated the bedroom from the kitchen and living room area. The interior decoration was wood and stone -- classy and tasteful.
*KITCHEN: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The kitchen was well-stocked with every kitchen whachamacalits that are necessary to prepare a foodie dinner such as plate settings for 8, plenty of wine glasses, tea kettle, pots/pans, coffeemaker, etc. It is equipped with a dishwasher, stove, microwave, fridge, etc.
*LIVING ROOM/DINING AREA: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The living room had a gas fireplace that was so warm and cozy.The couches were plush and fluffy. It came with a flatscreen TV and CD player. It was so nice to drink tea and warm up by the fireplace after a day in the snow! There was a wood dining table with 4 leather chairs for entertaining.
* BATHROOM:
Huge beautiful bathroom with plenty of wood cabinets and stone flooring. The shower has double showerheads and is separate from a deep tub. Herbal bath products and plenty of fluffy towels were provided.
*BEDROOM: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The bedroom was cozy and with a smaller flat screen TV. The bed was comfortable enough with too many big pillows.
RESORT AMENITIES:
The resort has shops, a spa and 4 restaurants on site. A shuttle runs every half an hour for pick up/drop off at the Village where there are pubs and music events, etc. Activities at the resort include movie nights, chess games, etc. Otherwise aside from skiing and other snow games, be content to enjoy the quiet serenity the valley and mountain offer.
SWIMMING IN THE SNOW: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The highlight of our stay at Squaw Valley was swimming in the pool that was surrounded by the snow and while it was snowing! After dinner we changed into our swimming suit and robe and braved the 40 ft trek to the outdoor pool and hot tub.
Most people were huddled in the hot tub. Although the surroundings were beautiful with the mountains, pine trees and snow all around us, the chatter took away the serenity.
People thought I was crazy when I left the tub and decided to swim in the pool. The pool was big but only 4 ft deep. Although it was heated, it was still cold. I floated in the water and it was just me, the sky and the falling snow. The experience was a beautiful paradox -- like sweet and salty, pleasure and pain; hot and cold in the literal sense. It was invigorating!!! It was magical two hours in the water. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I would love to go back in the wintertime and do it all over again. I hope it snows heavily again, and I still have the guts to do it again! And who knows I might even hit the bunny slopes next time.
RATE: $264 which includes $150 Living Social Deal with a free bottle of Talus wine, 2 free buffet breakfasts, 25% off spa (w/c we did not use), free valet plus extra $70 upgrade for priceless view and fireplace and tax. (If you see this deal repeat itself, go for it! It is so worth it!)
RECOMMEND:
*Suite with fireplace and view of the valley. Pay for the upgrade. So worth it!
*Dinner at the Six Peak Grill. Window seats are a must!
SKIP:
*Unless included, skip the $18 pp breakfast buffet st Six Peaks. (Meh!)
*Eat at Sweet Potato Deli instead for nice pastries and coffee.
When we woke up in the morning, when we looked out our hotel window, the world was so quiet and peaceful. Everything was white and covered in snow.
Amazingly, breathtakingly, beautiful.
Listed in: Leah's Good Memories, Tourist in my Own Backyard, Forty Winks and Sweet Dreams, 2011 Saturday Date Nights
4915 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 652-2100
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 652-2100
Marc 49
Categories:
Wine Bars,
Tapas/Small Plates
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North Oakland
Saturday Date Night: May 21, 2011 @ 10:20 PM aka "END OF THE WORLD"
Some people probably chose to hide in their basement awaiting the end of the world but I was sipping a very nice bubbly at Marc 49 with my man.
HOW TO FIND:
If you blink you will miss this tiny wine bar on 51st and Telegraph but the fairy lights outside will beckon you to come in to quench your thirst. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
DECOR:
The decor is mixed nostalgic, gothic and speakeasy-ish. Black and white pictures of the generations before us (including the young Elizabeth Taylor) cover most of the wall on the the side. Red velvet curtains framing a huge mirror cover the opposite wall gave Marc 49 the feel that you are in dracula's lair. (There is also back patio that looked like a steam wooden sauna but I did not check it out during this visit.) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOCIAL SCENE:
The patrons that night were hip 20s to 40s friends and lovers lazily lounging on the low leather benches sipping glasses of vino. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My man and I chose the low table and chairs by the window. We were there for the food!
BUBBLY: Reasonably priced at $8 a glass, this champagne was nice, fresh and with a generous taste of honey.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS $6: Greens with blue cheese, candied nuts, strawberry slices and sweet strawberry dressing. A light sweet delicious salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROADWAY PANINI $7: Chicken breast and pesto panini. He added a Monterey Salad (lettuce, pear, candied walnuts, blue cheese) for just $3 more! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOLOIST BRUSCHETTA $6: 3 generous slices of nicely toasted baguette, crispy but not hard, topped with goat cheese, proscuitto and melon. Eventhough I had to take out the proscuitto slices that were fresh and not even a hint of dry edges, I really enjoyed these toasts sans the meat. Delicious with my salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROWNIE: It looked prettier than it tasted. It was sweet with mounds of whipped cream and a little bit on dry side but it completed the meal.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
The food and drinks at Marc 49 deserve 4 stars. The staff deserves 6 Stars. Only at a neighborhood place can you get the kind of accomodation we received last night. When we walked in at 10:20 at night, the kitchen was already closed. Our server said that it was a bizarrely slow Saturday. She joked "maybe because it's the end of the world but wouldn't you want to just drink wine and run up your credit card instead of hiding?" They decided to close the otherwise open until 11pm kitchen early. Seeing our disappointed faces, they reopened, told us not to apologize and order whatever we wanted on the menu and served us kindly and ungrudgingly!
LOWDOWN:
We wanted a light dinner and a night cap after a family party then watching "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" at the Kabuki before calling it a night. Marc 49 is the perfect spot for either late night dinner and drinks in Temescal, catching up with your friend, a quick weekday date night dinner or going solo.
They also serve tapas aside from what I mentioned above. Extensive offerings of wine reasonably priced at $8 per glass or $26 per bottle.
Marc 49 is a real neighborhood gem and is now added to my short list of favorites!
$40 including tax before tip. With $20 Groupon, this very enjoyable meal was only $27 including a Diet Pepsi, tax and 20% tip.
Some people probably chose to hide in their basement awaiting the end of the world but I was sipping a very nice bubbly at Marc 49 with my man.
HOW TO FIND:
If you blink you will miss this tiny wine bar on 51st and Telegraph but the fairy lights outside will beckon you to come in to quench your thirst. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
DECOR:
The decor is mixed nostalgic, gothic and speakeasy-ish. Black and white pictures of the generations before us (including the young Elizabeth Taylor) cover most of the wall on the the side. Red velvet curtains framing a huge mirror cover the opposite wall gave Marc 49 the feel that you are in dracula's lair. (There is also back patio that looked like a steam wooden sauna but I did not check it out during this visit.) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOCIAL SCENE:
The patrons that night were hip 20s to 40s friends and lovers lazily lounging on the low leather benches sipping glasses of vino. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My man and I chose the low table and chairs by the window. We were there for the food!
BUBBLY: Reasonably priced at $8 a glass, this champagne was nice, fresh and with a generous taste of honey.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS $6: Greens with blue cheese, candied nuts, strawberry slices and sweet strawberry dressing. A light sweet delicious salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROADWAY PANINI $7: Chicken breast and pesto panini. He added a Monterey Salad (lettuce, pear, candied walnuts, blue cheese) for just $3 more! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOLOIST BRUSCHETTA $6: 3 generous slices of nicely toasted baguette, crispy but not hard, topped with goat cheese, proscuitto and melon. Eventhough I had to take out the proscuitto slices that were fresh and not even a hint of dry edges, I really enjoyed these toasts sans the meat. Delicious with my salad! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BROWNIE: It looked prettier than it tasted. It was sweet with mounds of whipped cream and a little bit on dry side but it completed the meal.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
The food and drinks at Marc 49 deserve 4 stars. The staff deserves 6 Stars. Only at a neighborhood place can you get the kind of accomodation we received last night. When we walked in at 10:20 at night, the kitchen was already closed. Our server said that it was a bizarrely slow Saturday. She joked "maybe because it's the end of the world but wouldn't you want to just drink wine and run up your credit card instead of hiding?" They decided to close the otherwise open until 11pm kitchen early. Seeing our disappointed faces, they reopened, told us not to apologize and order whatever we wanted on the menu and served us kindly and ungrudgingly!
LOWDOWN:
We wanted a light dinner and a night cap after a family party then watching "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" at the Kabuki before calling it a night. Marc 49 is the perfect spot for either late night dinner and drinks in Temescal, catching up with your friend, a quick weekday date night dinner or going solo.
They also serve tapas aside from what I mentioned above. Extensive offerings of wine reasonably priced at $8 per glass or $26 per bottle.
Marc 49 is a real neighborhood gem and is now added to my short list of favorites!
$40 including tax before tip. With $20 Groupon, this very enjoyable meal was only $27 including a Diet Pepsi, tax and 20% tip.
Listed in: Cheap Eats in Oaktown, Chic and Swanky NOT in the…, 2008 Saturdays with Boyfriend, Hidden Gems, Vino Bella, 2011 Saturday Date Nights
1 Previous Review:
-
10/21/2008
Date: October 20, 2008 @ 9:00PM-10:30 PM.
Occasion: Sunday Date Night with boyfriend.
Venue: Easy to miss very cute and cozy wine bar in my hood, Temescal, situated right next to a tattoo place. Sultry and relaxed atmosphere. Heated enclosed patio in the back with the feel of hot wood sauna.
Social scene: 6 young, hip and happily inebriated people holding huge wine glasses surrounded by several half-empty bottles of reds and whites. 2 women at the bar. Me and boyfriend at the back patio exchanging little smooches in between drinks.
Service: Warm and friendly bartender. One service guy who disappeared for most of the evening. Nice enough but seemed to have low energy.
Salud!: Yummy well-priced vino. Very refreshing bubbly ($9) followed by very generous portion sangria ($6). BF had 2 diet cokes ($2 ea)
Eats: Paninis named after North Oakland streets. BF had the MLK (meatball) panini ($7). Really delish! I had 3 huge slices of really good mozarella bruschetta ($6) and "just okay" meat/cheese platter ($9).
Tab: $52.00 with tax and tip. (If you stick with the panini ($7) and a glass of good sangria ($6), you'll have a yummy meal at a trendy place for about $ 15.00)
Worth-mentioning: Wonderful romantic evening with boyfriend. I fell in love with the place. I loved it so much I am hosting my birthday there next year! (Wish they will add more food to their menu) Totally girlfriend get-together place.
448 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 931-9988
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 931-9988
Bento House
Category:
Japanese
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
The former Cafe Ramind has reincarnated as Bento House. It has opened today.
The owner came out and was very friendly. He invited us in and told us that it's "no tax" during the opening week. My heart was set on Tofu Banh Mi at Saigon, though, so I told him next time.
The menu is extensive:
12 appetizers
10 salads
Noodle Soups (udon or soba)
Bento from $8 to $12
Donburi Rice Bowls
10 Sushi and Sashimi Combo including Chirashi for $12
Nigiri, handrolls, makimono sushi rolls
Lots and lots of Specialty Rolls with names like Winterwonderland Roll, UFO, Gold Gate, Milano roll, etc.
They also deliver.
I think Bento House is Chinese owned but I am not complaining. The TL needs a decent Japanese restaurant. The inside looked sparkling clean. You will find a lot of typos on the menu which is kinda cute.
Give this place a try and you tell me!!!
3 Stars for adding a Japanese restaurant on Larkin.
(Don't worry. I'm planning to eat here and will update my review. For now, I'm neither a hater or a fan, so I think giving this place 3 stars is fair.)
The owner came out and was very friendly. He invited us in and told us that it's "no tax" during the opening week. My heart was set on Tofu Banh Mi at Saigon, though, so I told him next time.
The menu is extensive:
12 appetizers
10 salads
Noodle Soups (udon or soba)
Bento from $8 to $12
Donburi Rice Bowls
10 Sushi and Sashimi Combo including Chirashi for $12
Nigiri, handrolls, makimono sushi rolls
Lots and lots of Specialty Rolls with names like Winterwonderland Roll, UFO, Gold Gate, Milano roll, etc.
They also deliver.
I think Bento House is Chinese owned but I am not complaining. The TL needs a decent Japanese restaurant. The inside looked sparkling clean. You will find a lot of typos on the menu which is kinda cute.
Give this place a try and you tell me!!!
3 Stars for adding a Japanese restaurant on Larkin.
(Don't worry. I'm planning to eat here and will update my review. For now, I'm neither a hater or a fan, so I think giving this place 3 stars is fair.)
Listed in: The Sushi Diet, Heartin' the TL
Saturday Date Night: May 14, 2011 @ 7:15 PM
Let us start with the dessert.
Because it was the best part of the meal.
Because this dessert was so decadent that I almost forgave Roux for my disappointing dinner.
I am talking about the BANANA FOSTER BREAD PUDDING. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Slices of bread pudding on top of generous amount of caramel sauce, with a single scoop of ice cream and slices of banana and strawberries. It was not set on fire like the authentic Banana Foster at its birthplace in Brennans but delicious in its own style. Need I say more?
DECOR: http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Roux is a New Orleans themed restaurant located in Santana Row. http://www.yelp.com/bi... The decor is a cross between Mardi Gras, Louisiana bayou, and "Interview with a Vampire." The walls were peppered with creepy-cool masks and plastic beads on the blood red wall. A giant looming tree reminiscent of the swamps divide the bar area from the dining area. Hanging crystal chandeliers provided a touch of elegance to the faux French Quarter interior.
AMBIANCE:
However, the authentication succeeded in the fun party ambiance at Roux minus the bead-throwing and drunk girls flashing their implants to equally drunk revellers. The loud live music on the stage and the birthday parties of already tipsy prior to arriving to Roux made me say to myself, "We're not in San Jo anymore (or maybe we are?)"
DRINK AND FOOD:
And I have been avoiding the topic of our main dishes because they have to be avoided at Roux.
ROSENBLUM ZIN: Generous pour, fresh and delicious. Great value at $8. I really enjoyed this deep red.
CORN BREAD: Instead of house bread. On the dry side. It was okay. You can ask for more if you want but each guest gets one each. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
FRIED SHRIMP W/ REMOULADE SAUCE: Hot fried fresh plump and big shimps. This appetizer is a winner! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BATTERED CHICKEN: A humongous lard-laden plate of fried chicken that would make Southeners proud was my fiance's order. In fairness he said the chicken was juicy and good but the batter was greasy. It was too heavy to eat that he only ate 2 pieces. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
GRILLED TUNA W/ SAUTEED VEGGIES AND CRAB MEAT: Dry fish that tasted previously frozen. The middle was bright raw pink and while the sides of the fish were dry. Kinda gross. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SIDE OF VEGGIES: Delicious crisp sauteed beans. Although soaking in butter, it was very nice. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
LOWDOWN:
After our dinner at Roux last night, I would say I join others who previously said you go to Roux for the drinks and appetizers. I would add you also go to Roux for the atmosphere and the dessert. Even if you were not in the mood you will find yourself snapping your fingers and singing "Lollipop" along with the birthday celebrants at the table next to you. The place is definely fun and wild. Our server was very efficient and sweet.
Roux does not claim to serve authentic Louisiana-style food. I was fortunate enough to have eaten my way through New Orleans prior to Katrina. None of the dishes we had could truly boast of good Southern food. However, Roux is still a fun choice to par-tay NOLA style without having to pay for that pricey airfare.
Roux made me realize that it is about time to go back to check out New Orleans post-Katrina.
$81.94 with an iced tea, tax before tip. Not the best meal but one of the most entertaining places to watch people get trashed on their birthdays.
Let us start with the dessert.
Because it was the best part of the meal.
Because this dessert was so decadent that I almost forgave Roux for my disappointing dinner.
I am talking about the BANANA FOSTER BREAD PUDDING. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Slices of bread pudding on top of generous amount of caramel sauce, with a single scoop of ice cream and slices of banana and strawberries. It was not set on fire like the authentic Banana Foster at its birthplace in Brennans but delicious in its own style. Need I say more?
DECOR: http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Roux is a New Orleans themed restaurant located in Santana Row. http://www.yelp.com/bi... The decor is a cross between Mardi Gras, Louisiana bayou, and "Interview with a Vampire." The walls were peppered with creepy-cool masks and plastic beads on the blood red wall. A giant looming tree reminiscent of the swamps divide the bar area from the dining area. Hanging crystal chandeliers provided a touch of elegance to the faux French Quarter interior.
AMBIANCE:
However, the authentication succeeded in the fun party ambiance at Roux minus the bead-throwing and drunk girls flashing their implants to equally drunk revellers. The loud live music on the stage and the birthday parties of already tipsy prior to arriving to Roux made me say to myself, "We're not in San Jo anymore (or maybe we are?)"
DRINK AND FOOD:
And I have been avoiding the topic of our main dishes because they have to be avoided at Roux.
ROSENBLUM ZIN: Generous pour, fresh and delicious. Great value at $8. I really enjoyed this deep red.
CORN BREAD: Instead of house bread. On the dry side. It was okay. You can ask for more if you want but each guest gets one each. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
FRIED SHRIMP W/ REMOULADE SAUCE: Hot fried fresh plump and big shimps. This appetizer is a winner! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BATTERED CHICKEN: A humongous lard-laden plate of fried chicken that would make Southeners proud was my fiance's order. In fairness he said the chicken was juicy and good but the batter was greasy. It was too heavy to eat that he only ate 2 pieces. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
GRILLED TUNA W/ SAUTEED VEGGIES AND CRAB MEAT: Dry fish that tasted previously frozen. The middle was bright raw pink and while the sides of the fish were dry. Kinda gross. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SIDE OF VEGGIES: Delicious crisp sauteed beans. Although soaking in butter, it was very nice. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
LOWDOWN:
After our dinner at Roux last night, I would say I join others who previously said you go to Roux for the drinks and appetizers. I would add you also go to Roux for the atmosphere and the dessert. Even if you were not in the mood you will find yourself snapping your fingers and singing "Lollipop" along with the birthday celebrants at the table next to you. The place is definely fun and wild. Our server was very efficient and sweet.
Roux does not claim to serve authentic Louisiana-style food. I was fortunate enough to have eaten my way through New Orleans prior to Katrina. None of the dishes we had could truly boast of good Southern food. However, Roux is still a fun choice to par-tay NOLA style without having to pay for that pricey airfare.
Roux made me realize that it is about time to go back to check out New Orleans post-Katrina.
$81.94 with an iced tea, tax before tip. Not the best meal but one of the most entertaining places to watch people get trashed on their birthdays.
Listed in: Chic and Swanky NOT in the…, Soul Food, 2011 Saturday Date Nights
3917 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94620
(510) 547-5035
Oakland, CA 94620
(510) 547-5035
Camino
Category:
American (New)
Neighborhoods: Grand Lake, Lower Hills
SATURDAY DATE NIGHT: May 7, 2011 @ 8PM
Imagine tumbleweeds rolling in front of Camino and it could easily be a venue for the wild, wild West. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
However, instead of cowboys slinging pistols and sitting at a rowdy bar where misunderstandings were often settled by a duel, and women of ill-repute serving the above, Camino is a fine-dining restaurant. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Camino's decor is meant to trick you that you are not having dinner in Oakland anymore but you have been transported to New Mexico. Heavy cast-iron chandeliers are suspended on the high-ceilings. The place is dimmed and lit by Nacho Libre candles lining the brick walls. The heavy dark wood tables are long and communal-each comfortably sits about 24. Even the chairs are the heavy, mission-style ones. The open brick kitchen with big open fire adds to the allure of the place. In other words, Camino is attractive, rugged yet elegant. http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A tip-off that you did not time-travel to the 1800s or took a flight to the Southwest in fugue state is Camino's cuisine. Camino (from the Spanish word camino meaning "path"), which by just looking at the name, made me think that I will be feasting on Latin, Tex-Mex or Spanish cuisine but it is anything but. Camino boasts of the fresh and organic New American fare. The menu was the shortest one I have seen: just 3 main entree selections. Our server explained to us that their aim is to magnify the flavors of the food, therefore, focusing all their energies on ingredients that are available at the moment.
After seducing our sense of sight, what came next was shocking our sense of taste and smell with the wonderful dishes placed before us:
DRINKS: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
FREEDOM $6: A cold non-alcoholic oolong tea with lemon, sorrel and gum syrup: Tangy, light and refreshing.
APPLE BRANDY $9: Sweet, strong but still feminine. No hairgrowth on my back after sipping on this drink. :)
APPS: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
RICOTTA & ANCHOVY TOASTS $4: 2 generous slices of crispy toasts. The ricotta was light but complimented the nicely salty anchovies. I will try to copy this at home. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
OYSTERS ON 1/2 SHELL W/ CHILI AND LIME $6.5: Refreshing, multi-flavored and fresh. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BLOOD ORANGE SALAD W/ PUREED WHITE BEANS AND CRISP $10: A tiny plate but packed with multi-dimensional flavors and textures. Meant to refresh your palate for the main meal. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
MAIN;
GRILLED PORK LOIN AND SHOULDER braised with milk, sage
and lemon; with peas and polenta $26: My fiance described this like eating carnitas--very tender and moist. I tasted the polenta. The freshness of the corn just wowed my palate. Def freshly house-made!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
WOOD-ROASTED ARTICHOKES & TRUMPET MUSHROOMS
with Belgian endive and an egg cooked by the fire $ 22; One bite and the flavors exploded in my mouth! The earthiness of the mushrooms were magnified a 100 times! The salt brought out the flavors of the veggies and the perfectly cooked runny egg. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
DESSERT:
HAZELNUT TORTE W/ ORANGE & WHIPPED CREAM: I was comfortably happy and full, and wanting to continue to savor my meal but my fiance insisted. The torte was a nice choice to end the meal on a sweet note. Not too sweet, not dry, just right. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
VALUE:
What prevented me from giving Camino 5 stars despite the amazing dining experience was the value. Somehow Camino reminds me of Wayfare Tavern in SF in terms of the cuisine and ambiance. Price-wise the two are competitive but Wayfare Tavern's portions are a lot bigger than Camino's, e.g., I had the mushrooms at WF for $8 as a side dish. At Camino, as a main dish and almost exact portion, $22! And on that evening Chef Tyler Florence cooked my mushrooms at Wayfare Tavern!
BOTTOMLINE:
Dining at Camino is a feast for the eyes and the palate. It will awaken your senses. The attention to details was evident from the crusty bread with butter and seasalt to the friendly attentive service. The portions were small but adequate enough and delicious! Definitely a sexy place!
Tab: $122 inc tax and tip
Imagine tumbleweeds rolling in front of Camino and it could easily be a venue for the wild, wild West. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
However, instead of cowboys slinging pistols and sitting at a rowdy bar where misunderstandings were often settled by a duel, and women of ill-repute serving the above, Camino is a fine-dining restaurant. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Camino's decor is meant to trick you that you are not having dinner in Oakland anymore but you have been transported to New Mexico. Heavy cast-iron chandeliers are suspended on the high-ceilings. The place is dimmed and lit by Nacho Libre candles lining the brick walls. The heavy dark wood tables are long and communal-each comfortably sits about 24. Even the chairs are the heavy, mission-style ones. The open brick kitchen with big open fire adds to the allure of the place. In other words, Camino is attractive, rugged yet elegant. http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A tip-off that you did not time-travel to the 1800s or took a flight to the Southwest in fugue state is Camino's cuisine. Camino (from the Spanish word camino meaning "path"), which by just looking at the name, made me think that I will be feasting on Latin, Tex-Mex or Spanish cuisine but it is anything but. Camino boasts of the fresh and organic New American fare. The menu was the shortest one I have seen: just 3 main entree selections. Our server explained to us that their aim is to magnify the flavors of the food, therefore, focusing all their energies on ingredients that are available at the moment.
After seducing our sense of sight, what came next was shocking our sense of taste and smell with the wonderful dishes placed before us:
DRINKS: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
FREEDOM $6: A cold non-alcoholic oolong tea with lemon, sorrel and gum syrup: Tangy, light and refreshing.
APPLE BRANDY $9: Sweet, strong but still feminine. No hairgrowth on my back after sipping on this drink. :)
APPS: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
RICOTTA & ANCHOVY TOASTS $4: 2 generous slices of crispy toasts. The ricotta was light but complimented the nicely salty anchovies. I will try to copy this at home. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
OYSTERS ON 1/2 SHELL W/ CHILI AND LIME $6.5: Refreshing, multi-flavored and fresh. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BLOOD ORANGE SALAD W/ PUREED WHITE BEANS AND CRISP $10: A tiny plate but packed with multi-dimensional flavors and textures. Meant to refresh your palate for the main meal. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
MAIN;
GRILLED PORK LOIN AND SHOULDER braised with milk, sage
and lemon; with peas and polenta $26: My fiance described this like eating carnitas--very tender and moist. I tasted the polenta. The freshness of the corn just wowed my palate. Def freshly house-made!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
WOOD-ROASTED ARTICHOKES & TRUMPET MUSHROOMS
with Belgian endive and an egg cooked by the fire $ 22; One bite and the flavors exploded in my mouth! The earthiness of the mushrooms were magnified a 100 times! The salt brought out the flavors of the veggies and the perfectly cooked runny egg. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
DESSERT:
HAZELNUT TORTE W/ ORANGE & WHIPPED CREAM: I was comfortably happy and full, and wanting to continue to savor my meal but my fiance insisted. The torte was a nice choice to end the meal on a sweet note. Not too sweet, not dry, just right. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
VALUE:
What prevented me from giving Camino 5 stars despite the amazing dining experience was the value. Somehow Camino reminds me of Wayfare Tavern in SF in terms of the cuisine and ambiance. Price-wise the two are competitive but Wayfare Tavern's portions are a lot bigger than Camino's, e.g., I had the mushrooms at WF for $8 as a side dish. At Camino, as a main dish and almost exact portion, $22! And on that evening Chef Tyler Florence cooked my mushrooms at Wayfare Tavern!
BOTTOMLINE:
Dining at Camino is a feast for the eyes and the palate. It will awaken your senses. The attention to details was evident from the crusty bread with butter and seasalt to the friendly attentive service. The portions were small but adequate enough and delicious! Definitely a sexy place!
Tab: $122 inc tax and tip
Listed in: Gotta Love Oakland!, My Fabulous Meals, 2011 Saturday Date Nights, Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants…
865 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 357-0288
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 357-0288
Ajisen Ramen
Category:
Japanese
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA
Eating at Ajisen Ramen is like teleporting yourself to malls in Asia where young people bond over a hot steaming bowl of noodle soup. Not only it is very filling and tasty, but the prices won't drain a young student's allowance.
DECOR:
And of course, at the malls in Asia, the decor is very important to attract these young kids. They have to be cute and cool. Ajisen's mascot is a cute Asian girl who is forever winking at you. *Wink Wink* (Okay, some people find her creepy but I think she is cute!) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOCIAL SCENE:
Ajisen seems to attract the young crowd and Asian. (It must be the cutesy decor since we share a DNA with Hello Kitty.) And of course, pretty much every hungry mall shopper. However, the two times I've been there I was sitting right next to mostly very young Asian kids. There were two teens who were having a lively discussion on what to order based on their budget. They decided to order the cheapest ramen on the menu so they had more money for shopping. I thought that was cute. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Contrary to complaints of slow and lackadaisical service posted by others, the service was efficient, quick and friendly. There's a lit up menu board but you get seated first and your server will take your order. No need to go up to the counter. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SF SHOPPING CENTER LOCATION:
What I really love about Ajisen is the convenience factor. For someone like me who uses BART as the major public transportation, it delivers me right at Ajisen. It is located at SF Shopping Center's Food Court. I get off BART, slurp my noodles at Ajisen, walk around the mall for a little bit to burn the calories, then jump back on BART without having to step on the streets. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SIGNATURE AJISEN RAMEN:
I've have been to Ajisen twice--first time was on a cold storming day in SF. I had the Ajisen Ramen with pork based broth, meat and veggies. The broth was very "creamy," pork-y, flavorful and nice. I did not eat the thin pork slices but I heard a young person right next to me saying to her gf in between slurps, "I like the meat. It's good!" http://www.yelp.com/bi...
VEGGIE RAMEN:
Last Friday, on a super gorgeous day in SF, I came here again after shopping in SF. Since my guy is working a little later I decided to not go home yet. Although the weather was warm and sunny, I had the Veggie Ramen. This was a pretty and colorful bowl. The shoyu broth was lighter than the pork-based one but very nice and flavorful. It was loaded with veggies including shitake mushroom that added a nice earthy flavor to the ramen experience. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
LOWDOWN:
Contrary to some of the reviews that the ramen at Ajisen is bland and lacking in flavor, I found the soup to be flavorful, comforting and filling --just like how a bowl of soup should be. The noodles are okay; neither soggy or chewy.
PORTIONS: The portions are generous and enough to satisfy your hunger.
SNACKS: Ajisen also sells apps like gyoza, fried tofu, etc. and rice plates like eel, pork katsu, etc They also sell flavored iced teas and bobbas. I had the Mango Iced Tea ($3.50) with my veggie ramen and it was refreshing.
PRICES: About $8.99 to $9.99 per bowl. A little bit more expensive than pho, but very reasonable for the portions, IMO.
DECOR:
And of course, at the malls in Asia, the decor is very important to attract these young kids. They have to be cute and cool. Ajisen's mascot is a cute Asian girl who is forever winking at you. *Wink Wink* (Okay, some people find her creepy but I think she is cute!) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SOCIAL SCENE:
Ajisen seems to attract the young crowd and Asian. (It must be the cutesy decor since we share a DNA with Hello Kitty.) And of course, pretty much every hungry mall shopper. However, the two times I've been there I was sitting right next to mostly very young Asian kids. There were two teens who were having a lively discussion on what to order based on their budget. They decided to order the cheapest ramen on the menu so they had more money for shopping. I thought that was cute. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Contrary to complaints of slow and lackadaisical service posted by others, the service was efficient, quick and friendly. There's a lit up menu board but you get seated first and your server will take your order. No need to go up to the counter. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SF SHOPPING CENTER LOCATION:
What I really love about Ajisen is the convenience factor. For someone like me who uses BART as the major public transportation, it delivers me right at Ajisen. It is located at SF Shopping Center's Food Court. I get off BART, slurp my noodles at Ajisen, walk around the mall for a little bit to burn the calories, then jump back on BART without having to step on the streets. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SIGNATURE AJISEN RAMEN:
I've have been to Ajisen twice--first time was on a cold storming day in SF. I had the Ajisen Ramen with pork based broth, meat and veggies. The broth was very "creamy," pork-y, flavorful and nice. I did not eat the thin pork slices but I heard a young person right next to me saying to her gf in between slurps, "I like the meat. It's good!" http://www.yelp.com/bi...
VEGGIE RAMEN:
Last Friday, on a super gorgeous day in SF, I came here again after shopping in SF. Since my guy is working a little later I decided to not go home yet. Although the weather was warm and sunny, I had the Veggie Ramen. This was a pretty and colorful bowl. The shoyu broth was lighter than the pork-based one but very nice and flavorful. It was loaded with veggies including shitake mushroom that added a nice earthy flavor to the ramen experience. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
LOWDOWN:
Contrary to some of the reviews that the ramen at Ajisen is bland and lacking in flavor, I found the soup to be flavorful, comforting and filling --just like how a bowl of soup should be. The noodles are okay; neither soggy or chewy.
PORTIONS: The portions are generous and enough to satisfy your hunger.
SNACKS: Ajisen also sells apps like gyoza, fried tofu, etc. and rice plates like eel, pork katsu, etc They also sell flavored iced teas and bobbas. I had the Mango Iced Tea ($3.50) with my veggie ramen and it was refreshing.
PRICES: About $8.99 to $9.99 per bowl. A little bit more expensive than pho, but very reasonable for the portions, IMO.
Listed in: Cuteness Alert!, CHEAP LUNCH FIXES IN THE CITY, Asian in the City, "Me" Time
2760 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 920-1978
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 920-1978
Dynamo Donuts and Coffee
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Donuts
Neighborhood: Mission
Dynamo Donuts is another testament that San Francisco rules the foodie world. Some people might want to kill the messenger and throw their Loubotins (size 6 please!) at her but you have to agree, this City by the Bay is pretty much up there in the inventive culinary pyramid. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I was jonesing for donuts. Not just any donuts but Dynamo Donuts. I have tried Dynamo Donuts in the past when they literally landed on my lap while attending an event catered by Dynamo Donuts. That was almost 2 years ago.
THE DONUT KIOSK: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A couple of years later and I was finally able to visit the kiosk. It is a charming little kiosk serving coffee, tea and the notorious Maple Apple Bacon Donut in the Mission.
THE DONUT GUY:
The guy behind the counter matches the donuts he sells--sweet!
I had to go for the Maple Apple Bacon Donut again and Chocolate Rose but he told me to pick one "on the house." I chose the Caramel de Sel. I was ecstatic!
MAPLE APPLE BACON DONUT: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I thought that the Maple Apple Bacon Donut will "take the donut." Believe me, it was great! The crispy bacon bits were generously scattered on top of the maple apple glaze. (I really did not taste the apple. The apple flavor was very, very subtle.) This literally melted in my mouth at 4 o' clock in the afternoon!!!
CARAMEL DE SEL:
But what made me " almost burst into tears" (figure of speech) was the Caramel de Sel. It was the least appetizing looking donut since the glaze stuck to the bag. I thought, "Great, now I am left with a donut with no glaze." And I was so wrong. One bite of this sweet savory, another melt in your mouth donut with bits of sea salt grains was just---gratifying, for lack of a better word. Maybe even intoxicating?
THE CHOCOLATE ROSE:
The Chocolate Rose also beats the Maple Apple Bacon Donut by a hairline in my opinion. This cakey donut was loaded with chocolate flavor with the nicest hint of rose. Divine!
IMHO:
In my opinion, what sets Dynamo Donuts apart from others aside from the melt in your mouth fluffy donuts even when they were not freshly out of the fryer, is the donut chef's ability to marry the flavors without overwhelming each ingredient. It is about complimenting, magnifying yet balancing the exotic flavors of each donut. And the above are just some of the exotic flavors. There are lots to spend your calories on: http://www.dynamodonut.../
THE VERDICT:
Dynamo Donuts are not your mother's donuts. Maybe you should take her to Dynamo one of these days. Dynamo was brave enough to reinvent the donut and succeeded!
Not only I finished the Maple Apple Bacon and the Caramel de Sel, and ate half of the Chocolate Rose, I have also broken my 6 month seafoodtarian diet. Was it worth it? Heck, yeah! (But then do bacon bits count?!)
Donuts are $2-3 each
I was jonesing for donuts. Not just any donuts but Dynamo Donuts. I have tried Dynamo Donuts in the past when they literally landed on my lap while attending an event catered by Dynamo Donuts. That was almost 2 years ago.
THE DONUT KIOSK: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A couple of years later and I was finally able to visit the kiosk. It is a charming little kiosk serving coffee, tea and the notorious Maple Apple Bacon Donut in the Mission.
THE DONUT GUY:
The guy behind the counter matches the donuts he sells--sweet!
I had to go for the Maple Apple Bacon Donut again and Chocolate Rose but he told me to pick one "on the house." I chose the Caramel de Sel. I was ecstatic!
MAPLE APPLE BACON DONUT: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I thought that the Maple Apple Bacon Donut will "take the donut." Believe me, it was great! The crispy bacon bits were generously scattered on top of the maple apple glaze. (I really did not taste the apple. The apple flavor was very, very subtle.) This literally melted in my mouth at 4 o' clock in the afternoon!!!
CARAMEL DE SEL:
But what made me " almost burst into tears" (figure of speech) was the Caramel de Sel. It was the least appetizing looking donut since the glaze stuck to the bag. I thought, "Great, now I am left with a donut with no glaze." And I was so wrong. One bite of this sweet savory, another melt in your mouth donut with bits of sea salt grains was just---gratifying, for lack of a better word. Maybe even intoxicating?
THE CHOCOLATE ROSE:
The Chocolate Rose also beats the Maple Apple Bacon Donut by a hairline in my opinion. This cakey donut was loaded with chocolate flavor with the nicest hint of rose. Divine!
IMHO:
In my opinion, what sets Dynamo Donuts apart from others aside from the melt in your mouth fluffy donuts even when they were not freshly out of the fryer, is the donut chef's ability to marry the flavors without overwhelming each ingredient. It is about complimenting, magnifying yet balancing the exotic flavors of each donut. And the above are just some of the exotic flavors. There are lots to spend your calories on: http://www.dynamodonut.../
THE VERDICT:
Dynamo Donuts are not your mother's donuts. Maybe you should take her to Dynamo one of these days. Dynamo was brave enough to reinvent the donut and succeeded!
Not only I finished the Maple Apple Bacon and the Caramel de Sel, and ate half of the Chocolate Rose, I have also broken my 6 month seafoodtarian diet. Was it worth it? Heck, yeah! (But then do bacon bits count?!)
Donuts are $2-3 each
Listed in: Cuteness Alert!, Eye Openers, CUTE DEVOURS!, Bitter Sweet, "Me" Time
1 Previous Review:
-
9/11/2009
Dynamo Donuts and Coffee has created "Necropolis" Donut in honor of San Francisco Public Library's ONE CITY ONE BOOK: "Alive in Necropolis" by Doug Dorst.
http://sfpl.org/n...
And I happened to be one of the lucky ones to attend this private event where Dynamo Donuts were served. Call this a modern day miracle since I've been wanting so bad to get to Dynamo Donuts to try the Maple Bacon Donut!
So, I swallowed my shame and positioned myself by the donut table. I discreetly grabbed one of each to try. (I will never pass up this opportunity!)
I went straight for the real deal: MAPLE BACON: Wow! Melt in your mouth. Generous crispy bacon bits. I love the combination of the sweet and the savory. My mouth was happy! I finished the whole thing!
CHOCOLATE ROSEMARY: Not my favorite but it is still good. Exotic flavor. Not sweet. Subtle flavor of rosemary. Good balance between not too sweet chocolate and the herbs. I had two bites.
CORNMEAL BLUEBERRY: Dynamo created this flavor in honor of "Alive in Necropolis." Another melt in your mouth. I expected the donut to be gritty because of the cornmeal but it's not. Just smooth with hint of blueberries without the tart taste. I ate half.
People, Dynamo Donuts are NOT overhyped! They are good even when they are no longer hot. If you're going to ruin your diet and eat donuts, make sure they are Dynamo Donuts. Totally worth the yummy calories!!!!
185 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 835-6400
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 835-6400
Hecho
Category:
Japanese
Neighborhood: Financial District
Gal Foodie Lunch Date: April 29, 2011 @ 11:45 AM
After an excessive consumption of champagne, cucumber gimlet and pear martini at Lime the night before with my gals, both me and my gf met up at Hecho the next day nursing a hangover.
Hecho was the perfect choice since I consider sushi my "morning after" guilt-buster remedy for overindulgence.
WHERE:
Hecho is the new kid on the block residing at the former home of now-closed Midi. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
EAT JAPANESE/DRINK MEXICAN: http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And Hecho, despite his Spanish name, does not have an identitiy crisis. Actually, he is solidly rooted and comfortable in his Japanese roots. One cool thing about him, though, is he knows that while he could provide the fresh and delicious Japanese bento, his Latin brother could provide the good times in a bottle (or 80+) of Tequila.
So Hecho is a Japanese restaurant/Tequila bar. We sat downstairs where the extensive tequila bar covered the walls that continued on to the sushi bar. The tables were made of thick light wood with matching backless stools. The kitchen is elevated and towering above the dining area. The decor is definitely Japanese, minimal and handsome. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SUSHI PURIST: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And you won't find crazy Godzilla rolls here. It is all about fish purity and freshness.
* 2 SPOT SHRIMPS NIGIRI AND 1 OCTOPUS NIGIRI ($4 each): Pricey for 1 nigiri but the freshness is so pronounced! They melt in your mouth and meant to be savored.
BENTO BOXES:
In my hangover state, drinks were out of the question. I glazed over the short but adequate lunch menu. I really just wanted to fill my alcohol-induced hunger pang:
CHIRASHI ($18): Whenever I see chirashi on the menu, I am like Pavlov's dog. I start to salivate and get fixated on it. My meal was nicely presented with the chirashi placed in a ceramic boat-shaped bowl. It came with miso soup and a salad. I had 6 pieces of adequately cut assorted fish pieces which were very fresh. I love that my rice was not hot since the hot rice would cook the raw fish. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
GRILLED SALMON ($22): It was also a bento box with a generous piece of thick salmon, salad , veggies and miso soup. I tasted a piece of her salmon which was simple but very fresh. My gf commented that the fish did NOT even have a hint of fishiness. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
TAB: $60 including tax and tip without drinks. ($30 per gal.)
LOWDOWN:
Splurgey meal but you get what you pay for which is good quality fish. Portions are adequate but you might leave the place still a little hungry. Service was professional but very friendly. Most of the folks eating there were in business work suit.
It is very rare that spend $30 for weekday lunch but once in a while I like to hide and runaway from work for an hour to sit down and have a quiet satisfying meal.
Hecho fits the description if not the expensive bill but I will definitely return. A good choice for a day off with my girl spent on a super-gorgeous day in SF! Next stop, Ferry Building!
After an excessive consumption of champagne, cucumber gimlet and pear martini at Lime the night before with my gals, both me and my gf met up at Hecho the next day nursing a hangover.
Hecho was the perfect choice since I consider sushi my "morning after" guilt-buster remedy for overindulgence.
WHERE:
Hecho is the new kid on the block residing at the former home of now-closed Midi. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
EAT JAPANESE/DRINK MEXICAN: http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And Hecho, despite his Spanish name, does not have an identitiy crisis. Actually, he is solidly rooted and comfortable in his Japanese roots. One cool thing about him, though, is he knows that while he could provide the fresh and delicious Japanese bento, his Latin brother could provide the good times in a bottle (or 80+) of Tequila.
So Hecho is a Japanese restaurant/Tequila bar. We sat downstairs where the extensive tequila bar covered the walls that continued on to the sushi bar. The tables were made of thick light wood with matching backless stools. The kitchen is elevated and towering above the dining area. The decor is definitely Japanese, minimal and handsome. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SUSHI PURIST: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And you won't find crazy Godzilla rolls here. It is all about fish purity and freshness.
* 2 SPOT SHRIMPS NIGIRI AND 1 OCTOPUS NIGIRI ($4 each): Pricey for 1 nigiri but the freshness is so pronounced! They melt in your mouth and meant to be savored.
BENTO BOXES:
In my hangover state, drinks were out of the question. I glazed over the short but adequate lunch menu. I really just wanted to fill my alcohol-induced hunger pang:
CHIRASHI ($18): Whenever I see chirashi on the menu, I am like Pavlov's dog. I start to salivate and get fixated on it. My meal was nicely presented with the chirashi placed in a ceramic boat-shaped bowl. It came with miso soup and a salad. I had 6 pieces of adequately cut assorted fish pieces which were very fresh. I love that my rice was not hot since the hot rice would cook the raw fish. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
GRILLED SALMON ($22): It was also a bento box with a generous piece of thick salmon, salad , veggies and miso soup. I tasted a piece of her salmon which was simple but very fresh. My gf commented that the fish did NOT even have a hint of fishiness. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
TAB: $60 including tax and tip without drinks. ($30 per gal.)
LOWDOWN:
Splurgey meal but you get what you pay for which is good quality fish. Portions are adequate but you might leave the place still a little hungry. Service was professional but very friendly. Most of the folks eating there were in business work suit.
It is very rare that spend $30 for weekday lunch but once in a while I like to hide and runaway from work for an hour to sit down and have a quiet satisfying meal.
Hecho fits the description if not the expensive bill but I will definitely return. A good choice for a day off with my girl spent on a super-gorgeous day in SF! Next stop, Ferry Building!
Listed in: Just Me and My Girls, The Sushi Diet, Asian in the City
45 Lists
1. One Market Restaurant
One Market is the perfect…
2. Hecho
Gal Foodie Lunch Date:…
3. Chez Papa Resto
See Full List »
GAL-BONDING FOODIE LUNCH…
1. One Market Restaurant
One Market is the perfect…
2. Six Peaks Grille
Memorial Day Weekend…
3. Camino
See Full List »
SATURDAY DATE NIGHT: May…
|
"I will still read and UFC your reviews"
- 278 Friends
- 363 Reviews
- 38 Review Updates
- 14 Firsts
- 80 Fans
- 916 Local Photos
- 45 Lists
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
3629 Useful, 2676 Funny, and 3126 Cool
Compliments
You're Funny
821
Cute Pic
248
Thank You
1591
Good Writer
759
Great Lists
47
Just a Note
352
Great Photo
1096
Hot Stuff
1837
You're Cool
1969
Write More
154
Location
San Francisco, CA
Yelping SinceJuly 2008
Things I Loveweekend getaways, princess cake, a hot cup of tea, great literature and chicklits, lazy rainy days, perfect quiet moments by myself, exploring the world, french soaps, cute pj's, soft quilts, hot long showers, champagne, anything seafood, daffodils, fireplace, my family, my cat
Find Me InIn my PJ's not wanting to leave my soft Tempurpedic bed
My HometownManila, North Oakland and San Francisco
My Blog Or WebsiteDefinitely not FaceBook
When I'm Not Yelping...Reading. Taking pictures of my food.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsB/c even if you don't I will keep on writing and still enjoy reading yours.
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadThe Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 05.23.11
My First ConcertDisney
My Favorite Movie"Amelie" "My Neighbor Totoro" "Paris Je T'aime"
My Last Meal On EarthDom Perignon. Crispy Pata with vinegar and chili pepper sauce. Rice. Apple pie.
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I'm Lacto! :(
Most Recent DiscoveryDelicious, authentic Filipino food in the Philippines
Current CrushThe Fiance. (He's such a sweetie!)
a) If you have a huge expense account.
b) If you know somebody who has a huge expense account.
c) To impress your business lunch date
d) For a nice mid-week gal-bonding lunch
e) To make a friend feel special on her birthday
f) To try the Dine About Town
g) As a nice treat unless you are loaded and have $$$ to spend on lunch.
h) If you found a bag of counterfeit cash, and need to spend it somewhere other than banks (Courtesy: Nick J.)
DECOR/AMBIANCE: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
One Market is classy in its simplicity. Huge windows looking into Market Street made One Market feel spacious. The earth tones and white linen covered tables gave this restaurant a formal business feel without feeling stuffy. The open kitchen added a cozy ambiance to the place. Serious business suit seemed to be the preferred attire at One Market.
My friend Heather and I do not have an expense account but we went to One Market for reasons D, E and F. We are not loaded either. At least I'm not!
It was my beautiful friend's birthday and I wanted her to feel special. We also wanted to check out Dine About Town's lunch menu. And we also wanted to sneak in our monthly gal-bonding lunch before we go on our trips separately.
Heather chose to try the DAT lunch menu. For $17.99, she got a
FARMER'S SALAD: A simple salad of seasonal greens. Very fresh and generously portioned that we had enough to share between the two of us.
STEAMED MUSSELS (chili flakes, pesto and grilled bread): Heather loved her dish! The portion was also generous. I tried the mussels with the sauce and it tasted like curry instead of pesto but I thought it was good! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I was about to try the DAT menu as well until I saw two dishes on the main menu that I could not resist:
STEAMED GULF FLOUNDER (soy sauce, shitake and bokchoy) $22 The fish was sooooo tender, sooooo flavorful, sooo delicious! Yes, you can tell I loved it! I wish they gave me a little bit more fish but it was really good in its simplicity. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
CHICKPEA FRIES ($5): Heather and I were intrigued that we had to have these. We thought they were deep-fried chickpeas but they were chickpeas that were mashed, formed into sticks then deep fried. They came with aioli type sauce but they were good even without. Light, not greasy and seasoned-well. Best to eat while hot off the fryer. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Service was efficient and friendly. We opted for tap water but our server somehow insisted with a bit of pressure for us to try the flavored lemonades. We declined twice and the 3rd time, we just went, "What the heck. We'll have one each." They were refreshing but we just really wanted tap water.
LOWDOWN:
One Market's DAT is one of the best DAT we have tried so far. Heather and I have tried quite a few DATs over the last couple of years and somehow we oftentimes thought they were just okay.
At One Market the DAT dishes were executed well, priced right and generously portioned.
If I had an expense account or loaded with cash I will be ordering the flounder ($22) at One Market 3x a week! That's about $66 a week, $264 a month for flounder lunch. I think I would have to stick with my $3.25 Tofu banh mi lunch at Saigon, instead. :(
And I also found out after our meal that One Market is a 1 Michelin Star awardee. As good as our meal was, no stars fell from the skies for me. It was very, very good but I had better Michelin star meals in the past.
Tab: $70 including tax and 20% tip.