ricky m.'s Profile

I needed an 85m f/1.4 to take with me to South Africa while covering the World Cup.  I would be doing video coverage and had a good set of lenses already, however I didn't have an 85mm and wasn't sure whether or not to purchase one.  Enter http://BorrowLenses.com - I placed my order but needed to extend it an additional week (the max was 4 weeks) so I informed them and within a day I was contacted and the deal done.

Their pick up locations - other than their San Mateo office - was convenient, the Rayko Photo Center in SF.  I arrived, filled out my paperwork and was off.  

http://BorrowLenses.com is an affordable solution for lenses when you 1) are looking to try before buying your own 2) trying lenses of other brands, such as Ziess etc.

Farina is like an oasis in Mission, an Roman oasis.  I'll break down my review in three parts: Space, Service, Food.

Space:  With an amazing interior, with true Roman and European decor. Marble blocks with hold ice for the sparkling water, bread bins on the walls, a center table that can seat 20 people or more. I imagined a large Italian family having a meal there.  The overall space is like part Italian family restaurant, cafe, parlor.  

Service: I enjoy when staff take their jobs seriously as they do in European cafes.  Farina's staff does the same. They are genuine, helpful, and very Italian.  

Food: I wont go into too much detail on our food simply because over 600 reviews have been posted.  The food is good.  I find that good Italian food always has a farm/earth feel and taste to it. As if the ingredients were just found on the Tuscan hills just past the olive trees and vineyards.  That certainly is the case here, where the mushrooms taste fresh, the pasta as if it was just made by Noni in her kitchen.  My only TWO problems w/ all this is the following:
1.  Quantity.  Italian food, no matter where your are is meant to be shared by family.  I'm not talking Bocca di Bepo style.  That's just American's version of Italian food.  No, what I'm saying is that my plate should have an abundant of pasta, the way an Italian mama would've wanted me to eat as her son.  The portions served are small here.  Even cocktails are poured in small glasses.  And that's a huge problem for me.  Which leads me to the second....
2. PRICE.  $20 of a plate of pasta that I can eat in 6 fork-fulls.  I can't do the math on this.

Space and Service win here, and the food is good, however it's not enough for the price paid.

Recently stayed at the Ace Hotel for some male bonding.  My only negative comments are the lack in staff, especially around the pool where almost every guest hangs out while there.

However for the decor and stylish design, it's truly a Palm Spring icon.  The food was tremendously good at brunch.  The rooms are moderate in size but also stylish.

If I could choose the SFO Medical Clinic as my primary care physician center, I would!!!  Recently, I had to visit them for some traveler shots for a trip I am about to take. Although I was there for my shots, I felt like I had been a patient of this place for my entire life.  

Here is my list of reasons why, in no particular order:
1. Parking is easy AND they validate!
2. Check-in process is was the fastest in any Dr's office
3. Everyone is friendly.  I mean, really friendly.
4. Hardly any waiting.
5.  The staff is professional
6. My nurses: AWESOME
7. Although I hate shots, they administered them with the best care
8. The DR. gave me his business card so that I could share my photos from upcoming trip.
9.  Insurance accepted!
10.  They are genuinely nice.

Go there if you want a clinic that actually treats you like a real human being and not some insurance #.

We came here to try out their food for a possible rehearsal dinner venue.  We contacted Mindy, the "Events Coordinator" who was unable to meet us but we went anyways.  The food is on the eclectic side but the service was outstanding.  The sangria is mediocre, however their margaritas were delicious thanks to a recommendation by our waiter.  Their grilled chicken has a unique flavor that one can only get from said grill, so we were both very pleased.

I was a little disappointed that their Events Coordinator Mindy never called back, not very professional, so we won't be using them for the rehearsal dinner venue.

It doesn't get any more authentic than this.  El Rincon offers some of the best traditional Mexican meals such Menudo, Chorizo and Pozole.  We have spent many a Sunday Brunch here.  The space is intimate with an outdoor seating area which is great on hot summer nights. The service staff is as authentic as a Mexican family can be.

This review comes from the view of a interested party & potential sutdent.  I had inquired to learn more about the continuing education programs, so when I was phoned the day after I had filled out my info form I was blown away by the call that followed.  

Understandably I know it's the job of admissions representatives to try and convince you why their programs are better than others.  So when I was phoned by a one of them after I had inquired about continuing education programs I was astonished at the lack of sincerity, their over confident sales pitch, and the lack of interest in myself, background, and what I wanted to have accomplished by attending.  

i would have thought the rep would want to hear why I was interested and any questions I had. Instead I got some formal read on the history, the quality of teachers and hardly  a chance to chime in.  

I'm saddened by the experience as a potential student and after reading some of the other Yelp reviews, I am not alone.

Move over Tres Agaves (and your over-priced menu), there is a new kid in the barrio!  To avoid the weekday crowds, I went to Mexico DF on a Saturday and was completely surprised by this place.  Let's get the easy stuff out of the way first: Parking was too easy.  Service was EXTREMELY good.  Now onto the serious stuff: Seating area wasn't my favorite, it appears to cater to big groups, but the alternative is to sit at the bar and watch the cooks in action.  Drinks were good, however I think it's a poor decision to serve a mojito in anything other than a highball glass. Despite that, the mojitos were strong, equally balanced and good.

The food was great, I had the chicken tamales with mole and everything was well cooked and well flavored.  Overall, the Mexico DF is great for one of those flavored meals when you want to have a good cocktail to wash it all down and stop the heat.

Subtle.  Simple. Local.  Terroir is a serious wine bar in the true sense of the term.  Real people, who know real wines.  Hey! they even speak French!

Popped in here on a Saturday night to avoid the rain while walking to dinner.  I known the place had been under construction, so I was surprised to finally see the lights on, red neon ones.  The place is clean, and I like the Tokyo-style pop deco, it's like West Elm gone trendy bar.  I sat at the bar around 7pm, and had a great stiff drink.  Although it's a trendy looking place, so I hope it doesn't turn into a "place to be seen" bar, SOMA has plenty of those.  Hopefully the geek chic hipsters of South Park will keep it real and make it a nice place to chill, chat and cocktail.  I know I will try.