Ebonina "Empress" E.'s Profile

So, I have a shallow goal in my life and that is to visit and purchase an item from as many T & Co's from all over the world.  Why?  Holly Golightly put it best when she said, "I'm just CRAZY about Tiffany's!" LOL:)
I went to the Tiffany's across from my hotel in Phipps Plaza.  I told the very friendly salesperson my new life goal, what I was looking for, and she said she would do her best to help me attain that goal.
Everyone was super friendly, helpful, and I left out of there with a new necklace & earrings.  Now, I can check Atlanta off the list!

I was meeting up with a girlfriend of mine and realized that I had yet to eat in the Castro.  So, after some research we ended up here on Tuesday night, ladies night.  There were $4 bubbly specials, and believe me we loaded up.  We had the calamari and tuna appetizers which were both good nosh foods to accommodate the chatty mood we were both in.  The layout is a clean white décor and there was fun mix of music being played.  The dj walked around and took song request which I thought was cute, especially in a time when dj's seem to more be playing what they like versus what the crowd is feeling like movin' & groovin' to, but I digress.  I had a fun time catchin' up with my friend and we discussed possibly going back.  Apparently, they have a great Sunday brunch.  Until then...

I met a friend up for lunch and as Chez Panisse was booked for lunch.  We ended up going next door to Cesar's.  A tapas place that had an open café feel to it.  We had a yummy salad, shrimp dish, and halibut w/ rice dish.  All the dishes were great!  The halibut was tender, the rice added to the flavoring w/ a squeeze of lemon.  MMMMmmmm!  The shrimp were grilled, delightful, & big.  The salad I cannot really comment on as my friend who is on a diet really was the one who partook in that.  Overall, I say a great place to read a book/magazine for a solo bite or meet up w/ a friend or two.

This is a great tapas place in the Mission.  They have a fondue dish that is delightful, and ahi tuna tacos w/ mango salsa that are yummy, as well.  It's a great place to people watch.  I have been here numerous times for after work gatherings, and to meet w/ friends and family.  It's a place you can go for any occasion, as the food lends itself to great conversation.  Plus there is always interesting art on the walls.  The only down sound is sometimes they have the music so loud it feels like you are in a dance club.

I went out of town and had to leave my precious Shi-Shi somewhere, and there was no one around I trusted to leave her with.  Enter my savior WAG Hotel.  I have only left my dog w/ two friends who have a dog she has socialized w/, but couldn't this time.  Because I heart my dog so much I got her the whole she-bang package.  She was in a suite w/ a camera, so I could watch her; she had morning & evening play groups and strolls.  I dropped her off late at night.  The first night was rough for her, as I watched her stand by the door to her suite waiting for me to return.  The next morning when she got to socialize she was in doggy heaven.  I did call once to request something in her room, and w/in 15 minutes I could see on the camera they filled my request.
If I had to go out of town again, couldn't take Shi w/ me and/or no friend was able to watch her...I would definitely leave her in the capable hands of the WAG hotel staff.

I was introduced to Sol Food years ago when I used to live in San Rafael and my former employers bought dinner.  At first I thought, "Puerto Rican food?  What is that?"  Now, I can tell you the answer, "It's delicious food, that's what."  The chicken is always so moist and delicious.  The rice and beans, are also great.  Why do I comment on something as simple as rice and bean?  Well, because I have gone to too many places where they are too salty or the rice isn't cooked thoroughly.  Sol Food provides just good comfort food.  I recommend anyone who is in San Rafael stop by.  Also, another tidbit on how popular they are.  They opened an additional restaurant around the corner from the original one and they both still have lines that form at both of them.

I wanted to take a moment to write about the great, upbeat, & helpful service at Chanel.

Now, I must note that when I walked over to the jewelry case there was a saleslady there.  She looked at and assessed me, and obviously decided I was not worth her time.  In swoops Super Salesperson Craig, he asked if I was being attended to I said no, and he helped me pick out a cute pair of earrings.  The initial saleslady realized that I was interested in something and attempted to wait on me.  No, no, no lady, you lost your opportunity.  Craig then walked me back to the makeup counter and asked if I would like to check out the makeup.

In walks, Amanda and _______ (have her card somewhere, will come back later to correct name) to help me with my make up.  Now, I absolutely l-o-v-e makeup and have a MAC train case jammed pack full of makeup.  Amanda was asked what I was looking for color-wise and how tame or extreme I'd be willing to go.  I was all in, it's Vegas Baby!  She did her magic, and revealed bits of makeup tips along the way.  I am a hard judge when it comes to makeup.  PLUS, she showed me the awesomeness that is foundation.  I have a crazy thing where foundation makes me feel like I can't breathe.  I have tried sooooooo many brands.  She just lightly brushed my t-zone, and my skin felt like it could breathe.  I didn't feel like it wasn't clogged and that I might break out any moment.  I have been wearing it everyday, and it looks so natural and light, plus my skin doesn't feel like something is caked on it.  Absolutely no, breakouts in sight.  Between the makeup tips, new makeup loot, and their funny conversations I truly enjoyed my time there.

YAY, to The Chanel threesome...I highly recommend them!

I just wanted to compliment Louis Vuitton on their personable customer service.  As soon as I walked in they were quite attentive, and I was even dressed all that regally.  Anywho, the LV representative went out of her way to try to help me find a number of different rings and such in my size.  She spent quite a bit of time attempting to go through different boxes and bags to hunt down the items.  Unfortunately, all the small sized rings were already purchased.  Boohoo, for me, but I still wanted to take the time to give them kudos on their service.

I ate here twice during my stay in Vegas.  Once was after leaving a disappointing Bartolotta meal, and another time was for a to-go lunch.  I had cordial and timely service.

Food:
Freshwater Eel-Good
Wazuzu Hot Wings-Delicious & moist, ordered both times
Teriyaki Chicken-A bit of a disappointment.  I ordered brown rice which was not thoroughly cooked and still quite hard.

Let me start by saying, "What a waste of time!"  If you want overpriced pasta that tastes "blech" then this is the restaurant for you.  If you want that every time you need something to have to wait and wait only to have a different waiter each time take you request then this is the restaurant for you.

Service:
It is no over exaggeration when I say we had one women (Waiter 1) introduce herself to us as our waiter and take drink orders and bring them to us.  We had one guy (Waiter 2) describe the food items, make suggestions, and take our food orders.  We had one lady serve us our appetizers (Waiter 3).  We had another guy bring our main entrees (Waiter 4).  The first guy (Waiter 2) came back to check on our food.  The first lady (Waiter 1) brought the check to us, then opened the check holder, and for some weird reason in a condescending manner felt the need to explain how to fill in the receipt.  She told my friend how and where to write the tip, total the amount, and sign his name.  Are you kidding me?!?!  

Food:
*cappesante dorate con porcini-seared sea scallops with imported porcini mushrooms
Two bland scallops on what looked like 2 cups of mushrooms.   Basically the plate was full of mushrooms with the scallops in the middle.  Apparently, mushrooms are not pricey, or they bought too many this week.
*risotto ai frutti di mare-risotto with clams, scallops, shrimp, langoustines, calamari
I was expecting risotto with distinct flavoring of the seafood.  Unfortunately, I got a mushy bowl of risotto that tasted fishy.  All the flavors blended together in a mushy mess.  It was very disappointing.
*bavette alle vongole-linguine with clams, tomato sauce, white wine, garlic, parsley
The first thing my friend said when he received his plate was, "I thought there was tomato sauce on this dish?"  This was another disappointing dish with tomatoes on it not tomato sauce.

My friend noticed I was not eating and asked if I wanted to switch plates.  I said yes, but his dish was as unappealing.  We ended up just leaving our full plates and going to another restaurant.

Definitely a MUST MISS!