E L.'s Profile

Mmmm... it sometimes feels like they're resting on their laurels. The haircuts are inconsistent. Every other cut I've been happy. Now, I've been watching my hair grow out. I don't know if it's just the changing texture of my hair, or it's the cuts. But, I really feel like couple times the hair was cut shorter and in a shape that I don't like. For a couple years, I was on a roll here, but now... About a month ago, just about ten days after getting my hair cut here, I was having my hair blown out by another stylist and she asked if I had cut it myself because something wasn't right. Mmm... I go to one of their top stylists and it's pricey, so I hope it was just a mistake.

sadly, this is the only pizza place in my current 'hood. gone are the days of living around the corner from delfina pizzeria and walking distance to little star and arinell. i succumbed last night because we were too lazy to pick up take out from little star. we got the sausage, pepperoni, onion and green pepper thin crust, a small salad and the chicken wings. the pizza dough although decently thin and crispy was really bland--no flavor. the sauce uninspired. the toppings were generous and well proportioned. there's just no love in the pizza--NO LOVE. the chicken wings were a miss, too. they cook them in the pizza oven! they're not fried! they're not even oven-crisped (yes, this can be done, just bake them before saucing). i'm a wing lover, and the only way i could eat these wings was after my hubs shallow fried them in peanut oil in a cast iron skillet in our kitchen. that's pathetic when you have to finish cooking your own take-out. i haven't tasted their pastas, but i think i'll save my money for now. i can't imagine it's better than what i can put together with jarred sauce and FRESH pasta, organic veggies and meat that I can buy and cook myself. this is purely an emergency takeout place. lots of people in the 'hood like this place, but it's for the same reason we all eat at eric's chinese food--there's nowhere else to go!

BY THE WAY, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REVIEWER (me!) IS NOT A TOURIST TO SAN FRANCISCO, I AM A SF RESIDENT FOR OVER A DECADE WHO HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE DINING ALL OVER THE BAY AREA.

WARNING: If you read this you'll be compelled to wage an all-hands campaign to revise, revoke, re-edit and break rank with any guidebook, website, blog or public record of any kind that recommends dining at... Mama's in North Beach.

This place sucks, and it's not worth the wait AT ALL. Other reviewers refer to the scores who flock to Mama's as lemmings and victims of clever marketing. I couldn't agree more. Once I checked out other single star reviews of this joint, I was further appalled at how Mama's treats customers--"Moldy french toast?" that review was classic. Anyway, here's another outrage to add to Mama's list of spurned customers and embarrassing customer service:

Midweek the wait was still an hour from when I stepped on the line OUTSIDE to sitting down at my table inside. And, what's with the SECOND line inside the restaurant? You place your order with a cashier and PAY (cash only) without even the privilege of sitting down or taking a sip of water. ****What a great way to "trap" customers in the restaurant while you continue to wait standing inside to sit down at your table. And HOW CLEVER that they only take cash and they give you NO RECEIPT showing what you paid for and ordered!

Meanwhile, there I stood at the front of the big inside line with another single diner like neglected livestock in a very crowded high traffic area-- WTF??!! People squeezing past every few seconds. What rocket-scientist thought of this system? It doesn't make anyone feel welcomed or special. You immediately feel like just another tourist, and warm body in the pursuit of profit. It didn't take long for me to figure how their system totally benefits the owners, see **** above.

I repeat...WTF???!!!!

What's even more sad. With this assembly line dining experience deflects, negates, amputates any poetry from the customer service experience. But, again, I don't think Mama's cares about customer service...

After another 10-15 minutes of standing and waiting, a 'host' approaches me and the other single diner, "Do you two want to share a table?" Again, WTF???!!!! That kind of instant chumminess might work in a more loving atmosphere but as I've now waited ages the last thing I want to do it make awkward conversation with a stranger who is obviously just as frustrated as I. The host is noticeably pissed when I say, no, I'd rather not do that, and once my table is ready he practically yells at me to sit down.

I sit down--more waiting. I even waited for ice water. YET, they have at least 4 people working the floor at a place that can serve only about 40-50 people at a time? Again-- WTF??!! Finally, my omelet arrives, and you know what, I'm so over this place that I don't even want to look at the indifferent host and the tourists who are shoveling food down hoping to justify the ridiculous wait.

"How are you?" said the server smiling sweetly. Too little, too late. I took my food to go and ate in the park. By the way, when they packed up my food, they gave me a small baby fork! Hello??????? And, no jam. WTF????!!! I swear, this fork was like a golf pencil with tiny little tines--how am I supposed to eat a crab omelet with that thing??? WTF???!!! Their response, "We don't have "real forks" right now... "

"I'll give the place 2 stars," I said, "if the food is out of this world." NOT!! The eggs on the omelet were not seasoned at all, too much avocado and not enough cheese inside, potatoes also very little seasoning, tomatoes--even during high tomato season in SF--flavorless&cheap!

Bland, pedestrian, predictable...Read all of the single and double star reviews of this place--they all attest that the food is very, very, very commonplace... similar and better can be found all over the city. They had a Sysco Food Supplier calendar hanging next to the register-- so you do that math. If you want a great brunch try The Butler and the Chef Cafe in South Beach, Foreign Cinema in the Mission, Brenda's French Soul Food in the T-loin--that place always has a line, but their beignets, shrimp and the Hangtown Fry are totally worth every second.

MAMA's in North Beach aka MAMA's on Washington is PURE EVIL... The epitome of old guard tourist traps--high prices, super-long waits (remember! the outside line AND the inside line!), indifferent staff and incredibly mediocre food. Their set-up of ordering off the boards and paying at the register instead of being greeted and served by a waitress-- i.e., PAY FIRST AND EAT MUCH MUCH LATER-- is laughable, horrible, deceptive and shady all at once. The kicker? In this age of composing yelp reviews on cell phones, Mamas don't take credit cards. (Yes, I composed this review as I stood in line INSIDE.)

NOT WORTH IT! NEVER AGAIN!!

Little tables... fabulous waffles! Now I know where I need to go if I want an excellent, slightly malty, slightly crunchy, hot, buttery Belgian waffle. I live in Noe Valley and all of the waffles served in the neighborhood have struck out (numerous times).

Butler and the Chef is definitely worth the trek. Daily quiche does not disappoint. Onion soup was a little salty for my taste, but it was still great (and where can you get good French onion soup in this city?). Crepes are old school buckwheat, and like many other things portions are generous. And, they serve FRENCH BUTTER! And bake fresh bread with ORGANIC FLOUR!

Side salads are usually a pile of greens with a delicate vinaigrette and the menu is limited (as they're smart enough to stick to what they do best), but the ambience (and the fresh baked goods like croissant and tatin) makes up for the lack of omelets. Can't wait to try the benedict. And, go back for lunch! Overall, tres bien, tres chic!

Recently went back twice-- once for that long-awaited chicken crepe and just last Friday for lunch with an equally critical food hound.
Chicken crepe was a little on the dry side which made mustard stand out for it's tart, peppery flavor, but the chicken tasted like it was cut the wrong way if you know what I mean, and yah, a bit dry. The crepe itself was delicate and delicious, so they still have my love... And, last Friday, the merguez panini (I couldn't decide between salmon burger -- ho hum -- and panini and the real french waiter suggested the latter) was a mini-revelation. It was the best merguez sausage I've had in quite some time... the last time having something that came close at Bar Cesar in Berkeley. OOoh, tender and spicy (but not too spicy for this spicygirl) and NOT upstaged by the gruyere and caramelized onions (although those elements made it a tad greasy - but, it is french food, i.e. RICH!). But, worth an order especially if you cut the richness with a glass of white. My friend ordered burger with bacon and cheddar cheese with fries: the burger glistened, the bacon was thick and the shoestring fries were flecked with flavorful parsey. She was one happy food hound! Chez Maman is in my top five favorite lunch spots in the city in its price range. Bon Apetit! my fellow gourmands!

They have DOLPHIN MOLDS!! Even though I frequent Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Crate and Barrel and the Macy's Cellar for high-quality tools and some good deals, Cooks Boulevard is in my regular rotation. For a while I was treating myself to a tool a week from Cooks Boulevard. I live in the neighborhood, and I've been pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion with their customer service AND inventory! (They carry Scharffenberger baking chocolate)I also love the set-up of the store (it reminds me of Peppercorn in Boulder), their cute window displays and they're located right next to a book store--my two passions side by side. Worth a visit if you're in the area, are a food-maniac or know one that needs a cool gift. I can't wait to try their cooking classes.

I live in Noe Valley and thought I would try out the local mail and pack store that would be less crowded than 24th street. HOWEVER, the weird thing is that I could buy supplies from them but I couldn't package it there! They said it was something about their insurance, yet it didn't encourage me to want to ship my items through them if they were kicking me out. I went to the post office right across they way! I don't understand why they have all of this space and they won't let you pack your items there even if your intention is to ship your packages right from their very store. They need to review their policies and re-consider their customer service. I'm not rushing back there, believe me. There's a Fedex Kinkos on Market AND a Mailboxes Etc on 24th street. I'll go there first from now on.

Has anyone noticed that Alton Brown is an arrogant a*se? I always had my reservations about him, but I could never put my finger on it until... I caught the last few minutes of "feasting on waves"-- his wanna be Tony Bourdain food-travel-adventure series. He was down in the West Indies fishing lobster... or, more specifically watching someone else (a cook of color) fish lobster. Alton couldn't help making snide remarks about the use of margarine and MSG  (yeah, well, who do you think brought these items over to the WI?!?). And, he concluded the show ("with a tradition") of planting a "feasting on waves" flag on an "uninhabited" island. Not to mention that he took time to go over a list of West Indian sayings and social behaviors that- let's face it- his little monologue about their customs clearly had a negative spin. (2 stars only 'cause his other better show Good Eats has decent cooking tips and interesting food science/history.)

PRODUCERS: You should be ashamed that you let him behave this way. Food Network seems to be working SO hard lately to create (and maintain) diversity on their network all the while their established hosts can tend to run amok...Take some sensitivity classes, Alton!!!

When you live in the food snob capital of the USA, you have serious expectations when you dine out. My visit to Cochon in rebounding New Orleans, left me full, fat and happy! I hope it lasts forever so I can go back one day to be dined and delighted with pig parts and authentic  southern cooking. The post-modern lodge style dining room amuses with porcine decor, sleek, utlilitarian picnic-style tables, benches and stools. A warehouse location and trendy bar crowd sets the scene.

Complimentary bread has become so passez over the years, even those pencil thin breadsticks and wafer thin parmesan flatbread are so yawn that it's mighty refreshing when someone plops down a basket of WARM HOMEMADE POTATO ROLLS in front of you. Cochon makes a batch every 20 minutes and they contain real potato puree. The rolls and consideration for jaded-foodie palates gets 5 stars.

Cochon does small plates and entrees so you can get your fill of local favorites and house specialties. Standouts from the Boucherie are fried boudin balls with pieces of pulled pork and deep flavor. My small plate of BBQ pork ribs came out cold though the sauce was tangy and sweet enough while I was looking for more smokiness. Fried pigs ears and rabbit livers I see more of a novelty for people like my dinner companion for whom having something fried and/or weird is a must for every fine dining experience.

There's plenty of love for the local cuisine: My hen and adouille gumbo had a flavourful (and memorable) dark roux. Roasted Gulf redfish (a specialty of the chef) was picture perfect and it's flesh is melt in your mouth. A side of pecan-broccoli dressing was (surprise!) gratineed and rich. And, the eponymous Louisiana cochon was salty, moist and flavorful-"very enjoyable" said my wide-eyed companion.

Of course, the fruit cobbler was a must, but sadly the only real disappointment of the night. The local strawberries were warm with a natural non-cloying sweetness but clashed with the somewhat doughy biscuits baked with a distracting (in a bad way) hint of ginger. My one suggestion for the dessert menu is to make a traditional lattice cobbler topping or biscuits without ginger. I loved everything else, this just made for an odd finish.

Cochon was the culinary risk of my most recent trip to New Orleans. I had turned down Brigsten's and boycotted Besh. And, I was NOT disappointed. Chef Donald Link forced his way back into a broken city to get Cochon up and running. You can taste that passion in every cajun-style bite.

FILIPINOS LOOKING FOR THE FLAVOR OF LOLA'S KITCHEN BEWARE!

From a Pinay who grew up eating this food, NOT impressed at all. Dry, stale wrapper on the "fresh" Lumpia; my companion's lumpia cracked apart as he picked it up. Filling was good = one star. MIni Pan de sal was warm and yummy, but the coco jam was extremely sugary. It's the dark brown molasses jam not light and clear (this is probably more americanized) and sadly NO macapuno bits. This doesn't mean that it was bad jam, just not what I would have liked on my pan de sal in the middle or start of dinner- more like a merienda or breakfast item.

Lechon sa Kawale was nine pieces of bland belly fat. Not as crispy as I hoped... or salty. It wasn't the best I've ever had. I know the fat is traditional, but it did not have much flavor! A bit pricey for the portion, too. Not worth it here.

The Kare Kare had a silky sauce but lacked authentic flavour. Seems that the ox-tail, which was succulent and fell of the bone and gets the other star, was probably left outside of the sauce for too long. It tasted like it was added to order (they have a veggie option). And, where's the tripe? Would've been a nice option for the adventurous! Anyway "oxtails to order" ruins the whole point and flavour of kare kare--a STEW--with or without the bagoong.

By the way, whether or not this is the way you "traditionally" cook kare-kare, the dish tastes off to the people I dined with who didn't know the cuisine. The flavors didn't meld the way that my father's (and aunt's and some other fine filipino establishments in the south bay for 1/2 the price) does--Dad's a cook and has been making kare-kare for over 40 years.

We got the leche flan to go as I didn't want any witnesses if I had to react to them ruining one of my most favorite desserts in the world... so, stay tuned, and I'll update when I have it.(5.18.08: So, I have the day old flan and it's amazing; it's still not my Tita Mimi's, and for $8 a pop it's not all that redeeming in the end, now is it?)

I guess they're trying to be upscale, just take a look at their prices. (I"m a foodie, I will pay for upscale food if it meets tasting standard). I do have a soft-spot for the lovely, simple tropical Asian decor. Lots of wood and baskets and a silver dollar chandelier hangs up front. Location definitely has a good vibe on a leafy street. A view of trees out front could be mistaken for banyans! But, the food and some of the service (learn how to pronounce the dishes! why did we wait 40 minutes for our food!?) definitely need improvement!

CODA: "Palencia is pioneering the debut of the undiscovered culinary culture that is Filipino Cuisine" This BOLD statement is posted on the Palencia website... Have these people NOT been to South City or Daly City? Or, the South Bay? Pioneers?!!?? They even spell Philippines wrong on their home page. Sooo....OBNOXIOUS!