Ruth "Momo" C.'s Profile
Date
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-7474
RN74
Categories:
Wine Bars,
American (New)
Neighborhood: SOMA
While I didn't pay for the meal (thanks Ingrid C's mommy!), I didn't enjoy it as much as I anticipated...
Everything was tooo rich.. I mean, I'm all for the fatty and buttery at Thanksgiving time, but after a few bites of each thing... I was done. I've had better Thanksgiving meals at restaurants for much cheaper and tastier.
For the prix fixe meal, I had the butternut squash soup, the cornish game hen entree, and the pumpkin spice cake for dessert. The butternut squash soup was nice, although a bit too creamy... I enjoyed the texture of the different ingredients, and the presentation at the table with the waiter pouring the soup into my dish, but I've had better butternut squash soup elsewhere.
The hen was tender and tasty, but when the waiter poured the brown butter sauce over it, it was toooo much. The mushrooms and the sides were all too rich. The greens could have been LESS rich to cut the richness of everything else. I just felt like I was eating butter and oil with butter and oil and salt. Is this typical of Michael Mina?
The cake was ok... beautifully presented, but again too rich and even though the portion was small, I didn't finish. I also didn't quite get any spice or pumpkin... just sugar and sugar and cream.
Presentation was there, service was impeccable, and everything felt great, but I didn't connect with the meal or the experience. I enjoyed the decor and the trendy feel, but I don't think I'd return for it or the food for the price.
I did like the bar/lounge area for drinks and the drinks have cute names like The Amelie and The Louboutin. I tried the Louboutin and it wasn't my favorite.
Yeah.. I've experienced better...
I really love the complimentary soup they give you at the beginning of your meal. I always want more, but I think it would be rude to ask for a second bowl... and I also remember I always JUST finish my meal or have leftovers... so I should save room.
I do love the pad see ew, but have ventured into trying and LOVING the pumpkin curry and the Asian eggplant. DELICIOUS! The pineapple curry is also tasty, but a bit tOo pineapple-y. Asian eggplant is seasoned well and I love the consistency of this dish.
The Roti that comes with a green curry is a tasty appetizer. Thai iced tea is also a favorite of many at this place.
Yum yum.
1 Previous Review:
-
6/21/2011
Really strange small parking lot right off of El Camino... but once you get past that or park on the street, you will be delighted to find delicious eats upon entrance!
I've come here twice now for pad see ew (my go-to Thai lunch), and it's consistently been seasoned well and the portion is just right (per Goldilocks).
I like that their lunches come with soup and a small salad with peanut sauce. For ~$10 you'll get a quality dish made with fresh ingredients.
I definitely recommend this place for lunch. They can get busy so come before noon and you're safe. The place seats about 40 people and the waitstaff can get a little overwhelmed. Quality of service really depends on how many customers there are... and one time it was impeccable and timely while the other time was slow and slightly panicked.
I'm a fan! I'm a fan!
The broth is still tasty and the different toppings are great, but the price and the size and the amount of noodles is a bit overwhelming. There isn't much of a balance in my bowl and I don't always finish which is a surprise.
The first time I came here, I tried 3 different broths (shio, shoyu and miso) and I loved how each soup was special and unique. The broth is the highlight... the noodles and toppings could be better. The egg could be soft-boiled rather than hard-boiled... the meat could be tastier and less fatty.
Considering that this place is run in Mitsuwa, quality can be very inconsistent and casual.
Cash only is a bummer too.
I've been to Santouka in Tokyo and I must say... this is a far cry from that experience. Sad sad sad.
Listed in: Nihongo wakarimasuka?
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 821-7569
Plow
Categories:
Breakfast & Brunch,
American (New)
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
Showed up at 11:30 with Ingrid C on a Sunday for brunch... we were told the wait would be AN HOUR. WOW. So popular! But since all my Yelpy friends said it was worth the wait, I was very excited that the wait was really only about 35 minutes.
Sitting at the marble? counter is an excellent experience. The 3 guys pumping out the brunch menu for 40+ occupants really know what they're doing. It's fascinating watch them make the eggs, fry the potatoes, cook the lemon ricotta pancakes, and dole out all the other goodies in very organized and efficient fashion.
Tasty mimosa, tasty coffee. I have to say, the lemon ricotta pancakes really were not my favorite. I did appreciate that they were crispy-edged pancakes and the lemony flavor was spot on.. but I didn't quite like the ricotta texture in my otherwise fluffy pancakes. I didn't feel like the cheese added anything... but then again, I'm lactose intolerant and don't really enjoy cheese anymore...
LOVE the potatoes. Super fried and delicious! Seasoned perfectly. The bacon was tasty but not memorable. I tried Ingrid C's pork sausage and that was flavory herby goodness.
Definitely worth the wait. There are plenty of cute shops to browse around including a bookstore about a block away.
My favorite brunch is still St. Mike's in Palo Alto, but this is pretty damn tasty if you're up in the city.
Extra bonus love to all the piggy figurines and piggy symbol as the restaurant mascot.
Listed in: Breakfast! Petit Dejeuner!…
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 355-9555
True Sake
Category:
Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
I was introduced to this store by a lovely gentleman who lives in the neighborhood. It's a small store that is decorated in a very aesthetically pleasing manner that makes you feel at ease upon entrance. In other alcohol stores, the wine sections or specialty wine boutiques make me feel overwhelmed with the way things are stocked, but this store has nice detailed little note cards to help you with your purchase and very unique price identifiers. Things are spaced out invitingly rather than intimidatingly.
Nothing about this place feels pretentious, even though they sell some very special and expensive stuff. Even if you don't know anything about sake, this store is perfect as an introductory venue... yet it fulfills all sake needs of the connoisseurs. Win-win for everybody.
One of my favorite things about this store is the e-newsletter they send every month. It is both educational and interesting to read. I love the secret word of the month (sign up to see what I'm talking about).
I must say, I have my eye on this clay tanuki sake set... I want! So badly!
Definitely stop by, sign up for their newsletter, and enjoy yourself some excellent sake you can't get anywhere else (except maybe Japan).
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 864-6000
San Francisco Symphony
Categories:
Performing Arts,
Music Venues
Neighborhoods: Civic Center/Tenderloin, Hayes Valley
Growing up, I taught myself how to play violin from 4th grade (don't recommend it, super difficult! however, lessons are expensive so all the power to you if you want to learn!) and played through high school. I love coming to the symphony for the nostalgia of my own experience and to appreciate others doing this as a career.
I've seen the Tokyo Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, Peninsula Symphony, and many high school orchestras.
While each orchestra/symphony is different... playing at different halls, I have to say a few things stand out about the SF Symphony.
MTT is such a fluid conductor! He has this natural rhythm and you can tell he FEELS the music. I've seen him conduct with Gil Shaham playing Brahms and Yo-Yo Ma.
The balance of the number of members to instruments is very pleasant. There are just enough cellos and basses, just enough wind, just enough percussion. Everyone in the group is super talented and the solos are commendable performances every time. These players work hard to play well.
Davies Hall is an excellent venue! You can get some cheap tickets up in the nosebleeds for $35, the view is great and well worth the price!
There are so many shows in a year! With famous players! I can't wait to see Hilary Hahn come play Prokofiev in this coming Spring.
You could easily BART to the Symphony. Very convenient.
Lovely experience every concert. If you've never made it out here, please support this wonderful group. You won't regret it!
I really like the coloring job they did. My natural black roots were growing into my brown highlighted hair and I wanted a deeper darker brown for winter to meld with my natural black. I told Tomo "not black, but dark dark brown" and he mixed up the perfect color!
The haircuts are always precise and easy to maintain without much effort. I like the layering technique they use and appreciate the carefulness when cutting my bangs (too short is terrible and too long isn't worth the trip!).
Memorable A+ things:
Great shampoo!
-Pleasant scents of the shampoos and conditioners they use
-Head massage
-Warm towel
They call the day before to confirm your appointment
Hot tea while you wait
Interesting Japanese magazines to peruse while you wait
It helps if you speak Japanese, but everyone is super helpful and caring about your hair experience that it really doesn't matter.
Love love love. Highly recommend coming here for a great cut/color/treatment/pampering. Treat yourself!
Listed in: Nihongo wakarimasuka?
1 Previous Review:
-
2/22/2011
Authentic Japanese hair salon experience! I actually feel like I can get my hair done here and not have to go to Japan... although that would take away a great excuse to go to Japan every half year.
Ever since I studied abroad in Tokyo, I've been addicted to the perfection that is the Japanese salon experience. The very pleasant and cleanly aromatic shampoos, conditioners, gels, and mousses... the towel on the face (to prevent embarrassment of what to do.. close the eyes? stare at the ceiling? stare at the stylist??) during a gentle hair wash always accompanied by a scalp massage and sometimes shoulder massage... the polite "otsukaresamadeshita " after every step of your hair care journey... ahhh... Japan.
Since my next trip to Japan isn't until late April, I needed a touch-up done. I called asking for an appointment and they had an opening that day! They were so polite that they even called me a little after I scheduled and told me about an earlier opening which I took.
The place itself is very cute, modern, and clean. There are maybe 4-5 stylists in about a 450sqft space. Very Japanese. Efficient. Tomo was my incredibly friendly stylist who gave a lot of thought and care into how I wanted my hair done. He suggested I get a touch-up on my roots and didn't even ask what color tone was necessary! He just mixed up the dye and it was PERFECT. The color matched exactly! The hairwash was a little awkward at first since the sink is so high up on the chair, but it worked well and I became very relaxed and felt very pampered during the whole thing.
The cut took a little longer than I wanted, but Tomo's estimate that everything would take 2 hours was spot on. He expertly styled my hair and made sure I was satisfied with the overall look. At the end, he explained what he did and how he saw my hair in my daily routine. Before the whole thing, he asked if I blow-dry my hair on a daily basis, and YES, I do... but he said "good! good!"... other stylists I've gone to in California have always chastised me for blow-drying. I felt validated that my daily routine was ok. Towards the end of the styling, Tomo brought out a curling iron and asked me if I liked getting my hair curled. Since the uber cutsey isn't my style, I declined and he was cool with it.
Cash or check only. Everything was $120 for me which is cheaper than a session in Japan (about $150). I will definitely be back!! So happy...
The major factor that bothers me is that everything is so freaking expensive. A lot of their goods are purchasable at Whole Foods (and presumably cheaper there), but they have a nice selection of local wines, cheeses, jams, etc.
They also make sandwiches and have breakfast options. I think it's a nice place to stop by/check out for picnic goods since there really aren't any other stores in the area... maybe that's why the prices are so marked up.
Worth a visit or two as a tourist.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 863-3376
La Boulange de Hayes
Categories:
Bakeries,
Coffee & Tea,
Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
I enjoy the styling of this chain and find the food options to be quaint. Soups, sandwiches, open faced sandwiches, salads, simple fare...
I'd like to try their desserts sometime.
Great little place to eat at before the symphony at Davies. Only peeve is that they close a little early...
Listed in: Sandwiches!!!!
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1064 Useful, 581 Funny, and 821 Cool
Mountain View, CA
Yelping SinceJanuary 2008
Things I LoveYelp, my friends, movies, tea, champagne, sangria, reading, sleeping, dumplings, tofu, Japan, Totoro, peonies, fall weather, online shopping, farmer's markets, roasted vegetables, simplicity, tequila
Find Me Ina pickle... and I hate pickles (both figuratively & cucumber kind)
My HometownSilicon Valley [CA, USA] & Urayasu-shi [Chiba, JP]
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life
Why You Should Read My ReviewsBecause I read yours!
My Second Favorite Websitehttp://www.notcouture.com, http://sisinmaru.blog1.../
The Last Great Book I ReadPhantoms in the Brain by V. S. Ramachandran
My First ConcertDo As Infinity in Tokyo at Budokan
My Favorite MovieRear Window, Roman Holiday, Casablanca
My Last Meal On EarthKimuraya, Ume no hana, Qu'il fait bon, home cookin'
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I'm not Japanese
Most Recent DiscoveryI get really random, intense fast food cravings
The decor inside is very charming! I adore the star-shaped lights with cutouts. It's very clean and seats about 60 patrons comfortably. The bar at the entrance is small and seats about 4 people. They don't take reservations but weeknights are generally worth a 10 minute wait. Friday and weekend nights tend to be super busy and waits can be up to an hour.
Tortilla soup was tasty! This soup comes in a huge bowl with lots of chicken, tortilla chips, avocado, and other fresh veggies. It's relatively light and I feel healthy eating it. I can never finish because there's just so much!
The chips and salsa are also tasty, and of course you must order yourself a margarita! They do blended, but I prefer over the rocks.
I can't wait for summertime when I can walk over here for some delicious margaritas and an order of guac and then walk back home happy and tipsy. Wait, is that public drunkenness? Oh well, I live close enough.