Emily P.'s Profile

The first time I went to Carlos, I was disappointed because he applied a "weatherproofing" treatment to my suede boots that ruined their texture - without ever asking me if I wanted it, basically forcing me to pay extra to have my shoes decline in quality. (I took the boots in for new heel tips, that was all.)

After reading so many positive yelp reviews, I decided to give him a second chance. I took in one pair of suede heels for new tips and my favorite boots (a different pair) for new heel taps.  ONLY new heel taps.  (I'd walked off the tap to where it meets the stacked heel.  I wanted a new tap.)

On the boots, which are one-of-a-kind and leather-soled, he CUT OFF the leather sole where it meets the heel, took off the ENTIRE heel and gave me a new one, made of rubber.  Not only that, he did a shoddy job with the replacement.  The new heel structure of the boot is SHORTER than it was before, and it's CROOKED. Now my favorite boots don't look or feel right when I wear them. They're absolutely mutilated and they were so nice before - I know it's silly to be upset over material things, but my heart breaks a little whenever I put them on, now.  I won't be going back.

They have great and expensive rums that are hard to find, and make excellent mixed drinks. The decor is over-the-top in a tragically kitschy way, but you're not going there for the ambiance, you're going to get blitzed on exotic rums!

The downside is that the place is ridiculously understaffed and it'll take 15-20 minutes to get your drink.

They also managed to lose my friend's credit card.  Ultimate suck, but they were profusely apologetic about it.

The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly despite having to deal with some of the most banal specimens of humanity I've ever encountered. (And oh, can those staff members keep a good poker face!)  

To be fair, it's possible that my hangover from a visit to Smuggler's Cove the night before had a part in my ardent loathing of Tartine patrons.  Maybe I just picked the worst day ever to stand in line, but I swear my IQ went down 15 points and I got 10x more superficial just standing there, lacking a mute button to use on the wanna-be hipsters in front of me.  But don't say I didn't warn you about the excruciating pain of the line.  If you ever feel inclined to write a piece of nonfiction inspired by Sartre's "No Exit" I suggest you set it here - hell is other people, the people surrounding you at Tartine.

They were out of the chocolate croissant I wanted, but this gave me an excuse to eat a banana cream pie that was out of this world.  Oh, shaved chocolate, oh scrumptious cream, oh 1500 calories of flaky crust and real banana chunks - I would eat you all over again!  Add to this that they have baristas who will happily and quickly whip up a latte that actually tastes good, and you have a happy Emily - or you will, once I've finally managed to extricate myself from the sea of long-winded Tartine patrons.

So I moved again, East Bay to SF proper, and there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to go with Master Movers again.  They were just as friendly, kind, thorough, careful, and expedient as the first time - and still just as affordable.  They are *absolutely* my favorite movers. (It's taking every bit of personal restraint not to use all caps while writing this review. I am completely thrilled with how well this move went.) If you go with someone else, you're likely paying too much or sacrificing good care of your belongings - call Master Movers instead!

*Fresh, warm, chewy-but-not doughy bread, with just enough of a crust.
*Mouthwatering corned beef that's actually not drenched in russian dressing.
*Pickles on the side.
*Speedy service.
*Topped off with an Andes mint!

It wasn't the lunch experience of a lifetime, but for a takeaway sandwich, it was damn tasty.

You know it's good when you linger at the door on the way out to just get one more whiff of the delicious spices you just ingested.  

My girl and I wandered in here to celebrate her new job, and were exquisitely rewarded with a sumptuous blend of spices, hand-carved woodwork on the tables, chairs, and walls, a spacious interior painted a lovely shade of saffron, free soup... i could go on.  

Our hosts and servers were exceedingly kind and prompt with service.  The food was seasoned to perfection, and Girl and I proceeded to stuff ourselves on dish after dish - the lamb vindaloo was expertly cooked!  Prices were reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the meal.

Come for the intellectual ass-kicking, stay to be surrounded by women who are sure to change the world.

Also stay for:
+ the renowned scholars that are your professors. they will treat you like colleagues.
+ the excellent student-to-faculty ratio (8:1)
+ the gorgeous American Gothic architecture
+ the secret gardens and towering rows of trees
+ each and every tradition.

Bryn Mawr is an inimitable place.  Any top-tier college may have comparable academics, but nowhere where you find such a thriving community of passionate, inspired, intelligent individuals.  Not only did I have the incredible opportunity to be taught by Macarthur "Genius Grant" winners in every class (not TAs!), they'd talk to me like an equal afterward.  

I have to admit that I found the students to be even more inspiring. Someone was always doing groundbreaking and fascinating research, but there was always enough time to explain it in a relaxed way over chocolate chip pancakes. And if that weren't enough, the traditions really did bring the entire campus together, in ways a Yelp review can't do justice to. All the upperclasswomen were astoundingly knowledgeable and supportive, and the friends I made at Bryn Mawr are friends for life.  

Without question, going to Bryn Mawr was the best possible decision I could have made for myself as a young woman.

Oh, Yelp. Normally I don't get drunk before noon unless it's a) Bay to Breakers, or b) May Day.

When I heard the chef had had affiliations with Chez Panisse and Bay Wolf, I was sold.  My friend Kelly S. and I ventured down to Jack London Square on a gorgeously sunny day, to be greeted by an equally sunny Ligaya T. and co.

There was a brief wait before the event started, and a bit of an awkward start for my friend and I as our bartender, in an ill-timed flourish, knocked a bottle of champagne forward, spilling it onto another elite member and the bar. Slightly awkward.

But eventually we all had our drinks and were settled.  I sampled a bit of every dish, and though some were on the bland side, some were surprising (hello, Menudo! I never thought I'd eat you, but you were extremely well-done with brilliant spices), and others were downright scrumptious (I could eat those waffles for the rest of my life.)

I enjoyed the good company and great food.  My only recommendation would be to have more than one serving station next time!

Before you call me crazy for giving a Starbucks a five-star review, let me explain:

It was a cold and grey day.  It rained on me for my entire mile-long walk to work.  I was recently dumped.  I had a ton of work piling up at my job.  I needed something to make me feel better, and all I could think of was the smooth, soothing, sugary deliciousness of apple cider.  But because it was a cold, grey, dreary day, I needed an extra kick to get all that work done.

I went in and sheepishly asked the man working the register "what could I get that tastes as delicious as your apple cider, but is also caffeinated?" hoping for a suggestion of some secret chai latte combo heretofore unknown to me.  The cashier politely suggested a carmel macchiato, but the barista suggested a chai cider (chai tea + cider).  Bingo.  

I practically shouted, "That's exactly what I wanted!" and they made it right up.  It was perfect.  Hot, sweet, spicy, and caffeinated!  What more could a girl ask for?

Bonus points: I've been here multiple times, and whether I'm working on my computer, or just getting breakfast to go, the staff is always exeedingly friendly and courteous, the space is ample and clean, the library rules, and the bathrooms are well-cared for.  They even have free wi-fi (if you've purchased and used a starbucks card in the past 2 mos.)  What more could you ask for?

Dr. Citron is absolutely great.  His staff is incredibly accomodating (they went out of their way to track down some obscure insurance info for me and also worked around my schedule), and they were incredibly friendly - I was at ease the moment I walked into the office, which is small but comfortable.

Dr. Citron did my cleaning, and was not only thorough and gentle, but also very informative.  I found out the thing I thought was a cavity was a harmless stain, and that exposed roots may not just be from overzealous brushing but from grinding teeth as well.  He'd also explain every tool he was using and kept me informed of what I need to do to keep my smile healthy.

Not only did he give me a clean bill of health, he didn't try to sell me on anything I didn't need, going so far as to tell me that I don't need to come back for a year.  Now I KNOW my teeth are in good shape!