John "johnavne" N.'s Profile

Having dined here once before, en masse, I was not expecting to be disappointed with a two person anniversary dinner. Unfortunately, my expectations were grossly off the mark. In a phrase: food poisoning.

Between two persons, we had the lobster bisque soup, the artichoke and crab dip, the ahi tuna 'tacos', a veal plate, and a lamb chops plate. This was a large selection of food, and we expected to bring home about half when we ordered. I had no alcohol with the meal. The waitress who served us managed to make herself a bona fide nuisance. Repeatedly, she broke or elbowed her way into our quiet, romantic conversations. For example, she pushed her way between us to place two spoons for the soup on the corner of the table where we had been leaning into each other. In doing so, she told us to "break it up, break it up." Later, when serving the tuna, she demanded our attention and stopped our communication entirely. I am sure she was desperately trying to be a fun, entertaining server, but I had never yet seen a waitress so intent on interrupting a patron's dining experience.

Four hours after dinner, in the wee hours of the next morning, I began to feel terribly ill. I staggered into the restroom and returned the entire meal into the handy receptacle. I was unable to eat anything for days, and only now, a week later, do I feel back to my normal self.

Needless to say, we shall not be dining there again. I should say that my experience certainly may not be representative of one you may have should you visit. I am merely relaying the facts as they occurred in my case.

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No review. Just go. It's wonderful. I love this place. Having stayed in a traditional Ryokan in Japan, I appreciate this mountain side oasis even more. It's simple, it's sweet. It's pleasant and soothing year round. Just go, you won't regret it. But be sure to give yourself enough time to grow comfortable with the attire.

Massage, spa treatments, and private accommodations are also available, if you are so inclined.

I've only been for the dim sum so far. I don't know if I'll ever have mainland quality dim sum outside of china any time soon, but for now this place is a good local source. They have a broad selection of choices, and most of them are very tasty. Those that aren't are just not to my personal liking; I'm sure others will find they're great.

I had the bird's nest dim sum last time I was there. A neat delicacy, and worth trying at least once.

Briefly: lots of good dim sum, spectacular bay views, very healthy sized crowds waiting at the door every time I go. Generally, crowds mean the place is good for something, and HKEOSFR has the goods.

It's been a while, but then that's why it's so great. It's remained fixed in my memory after so many years. When I visited the Rose Theatre, I found a cute, tiny little place that charmed its way into my heart. When next I'm in town on a Saturday night, I know where I'll be going.

I've only had the beer, but what a beer! They make it like it's supposed to be made, and the staff and owners are wonderful. I'm totally not saying this because I like them so much, by the way. It's a really unique business with a remarkable product, nevermind that it's located in the Outer Banks away from the big cities and the hustle and bustle of urban life. It's a reason to get a summer home there!

If you're in town, you really won't regret finding this place.

This is a nice place to take a friend or business associate, but not so nice to take a date. The meals are very good, I recommend the crab dip and arizona sandwich. It sort of doubles as a sports bar, so it can get a little loud at times, but when there isn't a mob of fanatics, it's a very cozy grub pub.

There's also a nice dash of class in the way they run the place. It's not top shelf, but you might think so if you closed one eye and didn't look closely. I'm saying it's casual attire, but you'll have to understand that casual means comfortably well-attired, not sloppy.

I love this place. After spending years in town for college, I came to have a very short list of places I'd go on a regular basis. Galway's was at the top of that list.

I am infatuated with their reuben sandwiches, both the irish and cornish. I'm getting sick with hunger just thinking about them. These are just... there is nothing better to be had in Annapolis than these delicacies. Their duck sandwich is also mind-bogglingly amazing. As you can tell, I love them first for their food. They have a separate dining area for the restaurant goers, but you can have full service at the bar or in the booths in the bar section.

They've got a nice selection of the favorite old-country spirits, and it gives you a really fine look into the very pervasive irish heritage of the area. It's the best place to have a drink in town. It's a great atmosphere that gets lively after dark but is perfectly hospitable in the brighter hours. Stop in for a drink at lunch, or knock a few back after work, you'll be welcome and happy whenever you go in.

I will be going in every time that I return to Annapolis for the rest of my life, God willing!

I come out to the Orinda Theater from Oakland on occasion and I'm always pleased by my experience here. It has a nice, small-town feel. The phrase that comes to mind is that all the high school kids work here (although they are actually college aged plus). It fits well with the Orinda atmosphere, and is a good introduction to the insular shopping center seemingly designed all around it. Going to the theater here is probably the cheapest thing you can do in that part of downtown Orinda, but then it's not exactly cheap either...