Roberta K.'s Profile

The two reviews posted are quite dated, so I thought I'd write something more recent.

I live in HMB and have avoided this restaurant because of the bad reviews, but I decided to give it a try on a rainy night.  I was the only one in the restaurant when I walked in - not a good sign - and I was seated in a small room at the front.  

The restaurant is quaint in its furnishings.  It has some beautiful crystal chandeliers (clean too, which is nice - a lot of chandeliers are very dusty).  Some of the furniture is dated, but the place in general is clean.  The building itself looks like a converted house...and the restaurant is open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

I decided to start with something simple:  a mushroom burger.  The menu stated it came with fries, but I requested a dinner salad instead.  I was offered a choice of a green or Caesar, and I chose Caesar.

Because of the awful reviews I didn't know what I was going to get.  The wait person brought me a large plate with a generous helping of Caesar salad and a very sizeable burger.  The "Caesar" wasn't a true Caesar.  It had a creamy dressing with shredded hard boiled eggs and Romaine lettuce, with Parmesan cheese.  It was quite tasty, although there was a little too much dressing on it.

Now for the burger - it was GREAT!  It came cut in half, on a french roll that was toasted, warm and soft; a few leaves of romaine lettuce on each half along with two slices each of tomato, some onion, and mayonnaise.  It was a mushroom burger, and the mushrooms were  plentiful and cooked appropriately.  I had requested that the hamburger be cooked medium-rare, and it was cooked perfectly.  The best part about the burger was its flavor: it tasted like it had been grilled over mesquite and it was DELICIOUS.  I was only able to eat half of the burger and took the other half home with me.  I wasn't going to leave it there!

The hamburger was very affordable at $7.00.  I'd recommend giving this place another chance.  Hopefully their food in general has improved since the other two reviews were posted.

I'm a fan because the owners of this place DON'T USE MSG!!  WAHOO!  I've never understood the practice of putting MSG into Asian food because I'm allergic to it, and it makes me sick - and it affects many others the same way.

The place is clean and well-kept.  Much better than when Mr. Chau's was there.  The counter people are very nice, as are the owners who also work behind the counter.  The food is good - I've had the Kung Pao Chicken, the Dai Chin Chicken, and the Vegetable Tofu.  

Somehow the food tastes better - and less like it has chemicals - or is pre-made - than Mr. Chau's food did.  Although I liked the food at Mr. Chau's, I never knew exactly what I was putting into my mouth.  I also totally believe in giving my business to neighborhood shops, so that's another reason I'll go back.

Anyway give it a try!

I stayed at this hotel on the recommendation of a friend, who said it was clean - the most important factor for me in reserving a room.  This hotel is in a good area, right next to I-95 and just a short hop to where my son is currently living in Spokane Valley.

Although it's a Super 8, it comes with a lot of extras.  Wyndham is the current owner and they upgrade every chain's hotel rooms they acquire with in-room microwave, small fridge, and coffee maker.  

Here are some specifics:

-Hi-speed wireless.
-Office is always busy but the gals at the desk are courteous and responsive.  When I checked in, they asked if I was in the Wyndham Rewards program and when I said I wasn't, one offered to enroll me to save me the trouble.  Nice.  
-The continental breakfast  room is adjoined to the office.  Breakfast consists of juice, coffee, dry cereal, milk, waffles you do yourself with batter, and toppings for the waffles.  They also have mini-muffins and some small cinnamon rolls.  Nothing really extraordinary, but it does the job to fill you up.  Coffee is decent.
-Room and bathroom:  Bed is comfortable.  Carpet  could use a cleaning but it isn't gross.  There is a clean sink in the room and the bathroom consists of the tub and toilet.  Cheap fixtures, but they are fairly new and clean.  The room has a 27" TV with remote, a desk, a chair and table and nightstand.  Again basic, but does the job.
-BRING EAR PLUGS.  The doors to the rooms are large and heavy and they slam hard whenever someone enters or exits their room.  The door at the end of the hall is also very loud, so be sure to ask for a room that isn't near the hall doorway.  Last night some people across from me decided to have a party at 11 PM so I called the front desk and they were very nice and responsive about getting up here to talk to them.
-TV has HBO and many channels.
-There is a Denny's right in front ot the hotel and there are to-go menus  in each room - comes in quite handy.  Kids eat free at Denny's on Saturdays.
-Again, location location - right next to a major freeway and there are lots of stores around like Safeway and Albertson's.
-There is a large indoor clean heated pool along with a spa.  Looked great, wish I'd brought my swimsuit!

This is my first stay at a Super Motel 8 and I was quite pleased.  I paid $64/night (what a deal!) on a AAA discount.  Highly recommended if you're on a budget or need a convenient place to stay.

Because of its proximity to the DeYoung Museum, my friend and I chose Namu as a good place to have lunch after leaving Golden Gate Park.  

I decided on a green salad for starters which was very good, then the kim chee rice with a fried egg as my main entree.; a salty/spicy dish really appealed to me at the time.  I wasn't disappointed - it was superb, although I had to send it back for more bacon because I literally couldn't taste any bacon in it the first time.  When it came back, the chef had probably put in at least two more slices of their yummy Niman Ranch bacon, and it was REALLY good!

My friend ordered 3 oysters to start, the eggs benedict with fresh fish and potatoes as the main dish, and a side of kim chee - she loved everything.  

Parking is definitely a hassle in that area, but persistence pays off - in the law of averages, you've gotta figure that eventually someone will leave, and you'll find a place.  Service was attentive and very pleasant, and the restaurant was spotless, with an Asian influence.  Like the previous reviewer, I also was fascinated by the sink in the bathroom and couldn't resist touching it with a tentative finger - make sure you take a look at it when you're there!

I do have one criticism.  My friend and I noticed the two large glass jars of fresh fruit and shoju on the counter and we ordered one of each kind.  At the end of our meal we got a nasty surprise when we received the bill - the drinks were $9 each!   My first reaction was to ask my friend, "Do you think they made a mistake?", mainly because the price of the drinks was so high in comparison to the food.

Another review mentioned something about paper menus, but am pleased when handed a paper menu since it can mean the specials change frequently.  Besides, leather-backed menus are so passe'!

In all we truly enjoyed our lunch and we'll go back, however unless we're feel especially flush the next time, we won't order any drinks.

I go to SJB every couple of months as a day-trip, for my antique-shopping fix.  I like it there.  Nice vibes and a peaceful atmosphere.

The last time I was there I made a mental note to stop at the Mission Cafe as soon as I was done looking thru all the antique stores.  I'd seen the locals entering it for Sunday brunch, so I figured they knew what they were doing.  Unfortunately by the time I got back to the cafe, it was closed.

Today I made sure I got to the cafe while it was still open (it's open 7 days a week, 7 AM - 3 PM).  I was craving breakfast, and when I walked in I was greeted promptly with a smile and told I could sit wherever I wanted.  I chose one of the tables against the wall and ordered their special eggs benedict topped with sauteed fresh spinach, mushrooms, and fresh tomatoes.

Oh my God.  I'm an eggs benedict gourmand - I love it, so I tend to order that dish at every cafe I visit, and I swear this was the best I've ever had.  Hollandaise sauce tends to be tasteless, but this hollandaise sauce was superb - lots of lemon juice, lots of flavor - I could tell it was homemade.  A large portion of golden, crisp hash browns accompanied the eggs, and I was offered freshly-made salsa to go with it - heaven!

My bill came to a little over $10 with tax - more than worth it.  The cafe is spotless with friendly wait staff.  I will definitely go back when I feel like antiquing again!

CLOSED
Unfortunately their web site states that they have closed.  : (

I was unlucky enough this year to have Christmas by myself (don't ask), and I decided to make it a fun holiday instead - so I drove south from San Jose to the central coast and I stayed at the Madonna Inn the first night I was away

I had been there once before and felt the place was quite charming.  Maybe it was the retro-style (60's) of the Copper Cafe, but it reminded of many places where I went with my parents, so it brought back nice memories.  

I made reservations several months in advance, so I had a lot of choices about which room I wanted to pick.  I had seen the rooms at the "top of the hill" the last time I was there and decided ahead of time that I'd stay in the Starlight Room, number 186.  The picture looked lovely and I liked its location, across a walkway from the parking lot.

Check-in was pleasant and fast.  My room?  Well....at first glance it was a disappointment - it didn't look much like the picture.  The light fixture needed a good dusting and several bulbs were burned out.   As far as I'm concerned, that's sloppy housekeeping and something that's an easy fix.  There were some good things about the room:  on walking into the bathroom, it was a pleasant surprise - it looked like it had just been redone and had lovely blue tile, a sparkling white pedestal sink, and one of those new-fangled toilet seats that washes your bottom, then dries it, which made me laugh.  I had a balcony, which was pretty cool although it rained the entire time I was there.  

I went for a swim shortly after checking in, on one of the coldest nights of the year.  Luckily they keep the pool heated at 80 degrees all the time, so swimming and sitting in the spa were heavenly - until I had to get out - BRRRR!!  There is a fine work-out room near the pool that has late-model exercise equipment and because I was the only one there and the room was warm, I ducked in to change out of my swimsuit before heading back to my room.  

The steak house at the Inn was totally packed because it was Christmas Eve.  I decided to hang out in the bar to people-watch...Charlie, the bartender, was one of the best bartenders I've seen - he sure knows how to make a martini!

Dinner afterwards was in the Copper Cafe, which was basically...well, ok.  I'm not a big meat-eater but decided to try the tri-tip and broccoli plate.  The tri-tip was tough and dry.  Would I have it again?  Probably not.  Dessert was cherry pie with vanilla ice cream, and it was just ok.

Had a great sleep afterwards in the room; they have those common large wall-mounted heaters/coolers that you can control yourself by pushing various buttons.  Before I fell asleep I watched part of a movie on the flat-panel TV.  Nice touch in the room.

The following morning it was back to the Copper Cafe, where I had eggs Benedict for the second time.  I don't understand the reviewer's negative comment about the eggs Benedict - I think it's pretty good.  I like to replace the ham with avocado.  Yummy.  I always sit at the counter to watch the action; the server is a great girl who has served me before.  I always enjoy her smile and her good service.

After breakfast I walked around a little more, then left for Hearst Castle and the rest of my vacation.  

I have to say that the Madonna Inn, although imperfect, was a nice place to stay on a holiday where I could have been miserable.  The people are cheerful and accommodating, something I probably would have a hard time with if I had to work on Christmas Eve.  The infinity pool and spa were the best part of my stay.  The rooms are dated and need to be cleaned and checked for minor fixes, but in all I felt I received my moneys' worth and I would stay there again.

I stayed in Cambria a month ago, and I can't get Robin's out of my mind.

Yes, it was really that good.

I had the best burger at Robin's that I have ever had in my life.  Now that's saying a lot, considering my age ;)   I arrived at Robin's before dinner - around 4 PM.  I was disappointed that I couldn't order off the dinner menu, but their late lunch menu indicated they had this certified Angus beef burger (all organic) on a fresh roll with vine-ripe tomatoes, grilled onions, bleu cheese & sauteed mushrooms, and paired with "matchstick" fries.

OMG - my tastebuds were jumping for joy!  The meat TASTED organic (I know, hard to imagine), and the ciabatta roll was lightly toasted and a little crispy on the outside, smoocious on the inside.  I had requested that the patty be cooked rare, and it was.  The matchstick fries were just as described, slightly brown on the ends and crispy and perfectly salted.

Service was superb.  Although I was alone, my server was attentive and didn't make me feel rushed.  The restaurant was rather empty and I spent my time listening to the couple at the next table (an older man with a much younger, bosomy, long-haired, dim-witted, slightly drunk woman...I'm reminded of that scene from "Moonstruck" in the restaurant, when Olympia Dukakis asks John Mahoney why on earth he dates younger women).  

I digress. ..Robin's is satisfying in every way and I'm looking forward to being in Cambria next week and my next hamburger with bleu cheese and mushrooms.  I can taste it already....you will not be disappointed.

I stopped at the House of Falafel tonight on my way home - I was hungry.  I'd tried it once before about two years ago and wasn't very happy with it - I had a steak/beef kabob and the cook kept pressing on the meat cubes with a spatula while they were cooking (you know how it is, all the great juices get squeezed out and you're left with a chunk of leather, drives me NUTS - I felt like screaming, STOP THAT!" but I maintained my decorum).

Anyway tonight I ordered the Mediterranean/Greek salad and the falafel and eggplant wrap.  Both were outstanding.  The salad is large, more than enough to be a meal for one person and served in a clamshell container.  It has olives, feta cheese, some romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and bell pepper with an olive oil/lemon dressing.  Superb.

The eggplant and falafel wrap was so good, I may be tempted to say that this is now my favorite falafel place in the valley.  The eggplant had a wonderful smoky flavor when I bit into it, and the wrap was quite large.  The lavosh bread was crispy on the edges, which was a great complement to the crispy falafel balls.  After digging in I realized I had over-ordered; the salad and wrap were enough for two people.

One note:  if you're into tahini sauce, you may want to request two little containers of it instead of the one that comes with take-out.  They also include a container of hot sauce, which is more than enough.  

So I'm happy to report that my visit tonight was a pleasant one, at least food-wise.  I was there at 5 PM and the gentleman behind the counter is still very....well, surly.  Maybe my charming personality will warm the ice water in his veins the next time I go in - and there will be a next time, because as y'all know, it's hard to find really healthy food in restaurants.

OMG I love this place!  I live in northern California and my sister lives in Tampa, and every time I visit her (~every six months), I absolutely HAVE to make a visit to Carrabba's.

I've been to every Carrabba's in the Tampa area, but this one is my favorite.  I like the layout and atmosphere here the best, plus there is lots of parking in back of the restaurant.  

Dinner at Carrabba's is a ritual for me, my sister, and several of her friends - it's an occasion when I'm in town.  We sit in a booth and the service is impeccable every time.  I always have the Steak Marsala with a Caesar salad and my sister usually has the Spiedino di Mare (sp?).  

If you do go for dinner, make sure you show up early or you will have to wait.  Not sure if they are open for lunch, I never go at that time.

Carrabba's seriously has the best food I've ever had in Tampa.  Every six months I go onto their web site and send an email to management, begging them to come to California...but so far, no luck.  : (