Jenz y.'s Profile

I can't even put into words how fun and exciting it was to have dinner here, not to mention the affordable factor! I was invited to have dinner with a group of friends, and knowing it was my first (!) time having dumplings, the server was really friendly. We had the spicy dumplings (2 orders), their world famous soup dumplings (4 orders), a veggie and beef noodle dish, their donut-like dessert with powdered sugar and fried batter (3 orders), plus many pots of tea, and the total for six people was $66 (and we left a hefty tip on top). I am absolutely in love with this place, and although of course I wish it was closer to me, it is worth trekking out to 34th and Balboa for some very tasty and reasonably-priced dumplings. Note: cash only, and very small  dining area, so as long as you grab cash before and are cool with cramming around a table to hang with friends and eat dumplings, this place is perfect.

God, I would have given St. Francis 4 stars based on my months of experience here, but today really rubbed me the wrong way. I work in the area, so of course I love that St. Francis is there for all times of the day. I've had the omelets for breakfast when I'm a bit early for work, call in for the takeout lunch of the sampler (side salad, cup of mac and cheese, and cup of chili for $8), and have nothin but great things to say about their burgers.

But. Today. I took a man friend here for late breakfast/lunch, and we couldn't decide what to order. I finally chose the French toast with yogurt, granola, and fruit with a side of bacon - it comes to me heaping and plentiful, takes up the whole plate, and a drizzle syrup starts my eating game, all for $10. My dining partner wasn't so lucky. He didn't like some of the breakfast burrito options, so decided to add some extras - bacon, cilantro, avocado, potatoes - to a burrito that was listed on the menu.

My dish was tasty. So was his. But imagine our surprise when the bill comes and his breakfast burrito  - modified, sure, to add some extras - is fucking TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. I'm sorry, why? Because our smart (I'm obviously being ironic) server added all of the extras for the breakfast burrito a la carte. Here's the thing - we were more than willing to build the burrito on its own, but $25 fucking dollars for one? It was a dick move for the server to charge it all separately, especially since each item wasn't in full on the side and was mixed ultimately for the burrito. Of course, we don't realize this until my credit card is charged, and I had to get back to work.

Dear server at St. Francis: if you're seeing that someone's BURRITO is totaling $25, don't be an ass and bring it to their attention. You can also mod that shit in Aloha. Play fair.

They do a happy hour special with sake and rolls, have large portions for all their dinner plates/boxes, and have super yummy chicken katsu. I'm a fan. Plus, you can eat really well with rolls, apps, tempura, and prob even a dessert, for less than $22 a person. Bonus that you can watch the people doing karaoke next door at The Mint on a projection while you wait for takeout :)

I have two friends who religiously go to Pirate Salon, and when I found out WC - my regular go-to girl - was going to start a residency at the salon, I knew it was fate. I actually followed him from previous places to Pirate, and the combo of the salon itself and WC's skills are pure win. I have short, heavy wavy to curly hair, growing in thick at the nape and thinner at the top. It's been through so many dye jobs, bobs, A-lines, etc, and finally I asked WC to help me grow it out. We set up a 6-month (or so) plan of what to do each time I come in, cleaning up the split ends but still keeping as much length. I was never a fan of the 'dry cut' because it seemed dangerous/weird to cut hair like that, but WC showed me and totally proved that doing that method with curly hair is very beneficial. My hair always looks super bouncy afterwards, healthy and lively. The last time I was in I also got highlights, and even though now they are not their original red, the fade has been a nice auburn and not a sickly orange like I was anticipating.

Notes: yes, you will wash and style your own hair afterwards. Yes, it's no-frills, DIY, whatever you want to call it. But, for the expertise, the incredible service, and the location, totally worth it. Also, remember cash!

I went in recently to see if I had a busted wireless card on a brand-new laptop. Jon ran several tests and helped me diagnose the situation, being super helpful and thorough throughout the process. He was very knowledgeable and patient with me for all the questions I asked, and also was honest when we started talking quotes. My life is absolutely contingent on my technology since I'm an independent contractor, and I felt super comfortable and confident while in the shop that the BCR guys could help me out - and I was right! Same day service and friendly customer service. Super highly totally recommend; don't even think about going to Best Buy. STOP NOW KTHX.

Two words: TACO BAR.

I pass this place all the time, but once I found out you can get a taco for $1.50 complete with your choice of meat (which is heaping) and then you have complete freedom to make the fixings, well. Shit was over.

We each got two/three tacos apiece, and then split a bowl of posole - stuffing three kids full of food love and for $16 is what I'm talking about. The posole was super hot when it came out for us and we all burned our tongues, but after we let it cool down we noshed hardcore. It had tender meat falling off the bones as we chipped away with our tortillas and the broth was flavorful and thick.

Obviously this place is popular with the late night crowd since beer and tacos were married in a previous life, but the taco bar alone in the front makes a visit to Vallarta worth your while.

The namesake is the superstar with good, good reason. Stacks has a good selection of pancakes and waffles under its belt, and while I admit the range in offerings could be larger, the quality is superb. Fluffy, crisp, and as large as a dinner plate, I'd highly recommend the blueberry pancakes as well as the bacon waffle, which has bacon bits in the waffle batter and saves you precious time from hand to mouth.

I'm not too crazy on their omelets (hence the 4 stars), but for your money's worth, this is a fantastic place for all your brunch needs. Large servings can guarantee that you and one person could split an entree and starter and still feel full. Also, I really enjoy that servers leave the coffee pots and water jugs on the table for you so you only have to bug them for the essentials.

My review is both a praise and apology. Last night a group of us came
in to celebrate it being the end of the week (as you should!), and had
a great sampling of what Dosa has to offer - dosas, curries, wine, &
of course, cocktails! Our server Zach was really knowledgeable about
what dishes went well together, what to start with, and recommended a great bottle of wine(so good, we ordered three!).

We were having a good time until one of my friends, in her not-so-glorious drunken stupor, happened to reach across and grab our
server's ass as he was helping another table nearby. We all
immediately berated her, mortified that she pulled that off during a
busy dinner time. Zach totally took it in stride and continued to show
a classy attitude, and even joked with us for the rest of teh evening.
So for that, we thank you and are very sorry about our friend's
behavior. It was out of line, but definitely hilarious. We'll be back
for more great food, cocktails, & hopefully less ass-grabbing:)

5 stars!

continuing on from our fat kid sunday trails, we stopped by from lunch across the street at el farrolito and BFF dee and i both ordered banana creme pie and some milk. damn, the crust alone gets 80 gazillion stars. i admit that the banana filling was a bit lumpy and not as sweet as anticipated, but together as a pie pie it was delicious. we rolled out toting pregnancy-looking bellies and then shopped at big lots totally comatose. all in all, it was a posi experience.

my only sadness is that there was a severe lack in anything related to a berry - no raspberry, blueberry, or my beloved strawberry. there was ginger pear on the menu but i would ask for some berry love to be thrown up in that business for some extra love.

we had a work meeting on saturday that required a two-top and some quiet time, and cove fit the bill. there was a nice bustle about the cafe but it wasn't super obnoxious like lime. i had a medley breakfast of scrambled eggs, french toast, and bacon - all done nicely, but not like "OMG THIS SHIT IS AMAZING." it's breakfast! (shrug)

free refills does make my heart happy, and our server was very warm to us, which is a plus. i'm a little neutral about the joint but would not be adverse to coming back to try dinner. the fresh-squeezed OJ is really amazing.