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1463 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 345-8355

Burn  

Category: Pilates
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

5.0 star rating
12/19/2011 2 photos First to Review
As I write this review 48hours following my first class at the newest
studio, I am sore-and I love it.
The full body burn class targeted the exact areas I need to work on
the most: inner/outer thighs , bum, and lower abs.
The studio itself is bright and cheery.
The walls are painted a soothing blue and the exposed bamboo floors
add to the calming ambiance. I actually got to meet the owner  Lisa Corsello.
She taught the  inaugural class, as Burn just opened its doors 12.17 saturday morning. She seems very knowledgeable, friendly, and still active and hands
on for being(VERY) pregnant.

A little info on the Burn Philosophy
*Pilates Springs are used to firm and lengthen the entire body while increasing flexibility and engaging the core.
*Weights are used to tone and strengthen the muscles, increase metabolism, and prevent injuries
*Cardio Exercises will increase your heart rate, increase endurance and burn calories between resistance training sets
*Footbar and Mat Work for the core will provide effective new ways to engage and work all of the abdominal muscles to create a strong, lean and powerful core.

The class flowed very well, I never got bored or felt too fatigued during the exercises. The music was great. I highly recommend the earlier classes
as the are less crowded and you receive more one-on-one instruction.
So happy to have this new business int he 'hood. . . .

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3985 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 647-7144

Ambiance  

Categories: Women's Clothing, Accessories
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

5.0 star rating
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
5stars!
These ladies ROCKED at last nights Noe Valley Wine Walk.
The crowds were out and about in this quaint little 'hood.
Shopping, noshing, navigating strollers through the narrow sidewalks
and swilling wine :)
Customers were greeted with smiles and offered a glass of bubbly.
All the ladies helped each other help the customers.
It was a well run machine where everyone-
checked in with the neighborhood locals, offered suggestions on
accessories, called other stores to track down additional sizes,
and ran between the two Noe Valley  locations to hunt down misc.
random items a few customers in the fitting room "thought"
might look better than what they currently had on at the moment.
Amazingly all this chaos was handled with warm genuine smiles.
They ladies never seemed pushy, and the fitting room and register
areas kept flowing nicely.

I had previously tried on two dresses at a previous location and the ladies
at the Noe Valley store had the items pulled in my size and a fitting room ready.
I left with two dresses, a lovely top that had previously sold out, and a great
necklace. Remember those old school commercials:
"At Ambiance, we really like you"
Well, it shows and you can tell that the owner and staff  are truly
invested in their customers. . .

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1458 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 552-5095

Ambiance  

Categories: Women's Clothing, Accessories
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

2.0 star rating
Update - 12/8/2011
I was contacted by the owner, Donna.
She took the time to reach out and let me know how sorry she was.
How Awesome!!
Updating the review just because a bad apple here and there shouldn't spoil the bunch.
Thanks again Donna. . .

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 1.0 star rating
    12/6/2011

    Pretty sure I won't be visiting the Haight St. store again.
    Experienced such HORRIBLE customer service at this location today.
    Tuesdays are great I get to take a bit of a longer lunch sometimes and
    love browsing the shops during the week when there is less of a crowd.
    I wear scrubs during the day since I work in the dental field and can be
    perceived as pretty ho-hum.
    I stroll into Ambiance today and have two things in mind: party dresses &
    "date night" tops. As soon as I walked in  there were the sales girls hovering.

    Twice one of the 'Minimum-wage Mindys' immediately went to an area I had just
    left and called out for  a stock check on items I just placed back on the rack.
    I pretty much ignored the first chick, the other girl that was helping me out seemed
    much more low-key.

    I was able to find a few lovely items, but used up my entire lunch browsing and
    trying on the dresses. I didn't make it to the 6 tops I selected.
    "Will you hold these?"
    I asked.
    "Sure" was the reply, "but only till the end of day".
    "No worries, I get off at 4:30 and work nearby" I replied.
    I gave my name(third time since they ask when organizing your fitting room)
    and also selected a cute necklace to compliment the dress I had chosen.
    Cut to 4:53 I walk in and my items are no where to be found.
    "Oh, your back, what was your name again"?
    Yes, you remember me.
    You saw me less than 4 hours ago, and it's pretty obvious that
    I'm the only Black person here.
    Minimum-wage Mindy is trying to hide her shock, yes it's obvious they did not think
    I would return. Hmm, wonder why?!

    "I think we put those things back" "We'll try and pull them."
    After 5 minutes of running around the icing on the cake for me was when
    Minimum-wage Mindy comes to me with an armful of tacky/ last season/sales rack bullsh*
    "Oh, here are your tops".
    I walked out!
    Don't insult my intelligence, I rather use my dollars at the Noe Valley location:
    http://www.yelp.c...
    The ladies at that location know the meaning of  Customer Care. . . .

    .

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1980 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 441-2575

Marengo on Union  

Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

4.0 star rating
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid!
See the very handsome Tyler at the back (Whiskey)bar for all your
drinking needs. I'm a Rum girl by birthright, but I enjoy the diverse whiskeys offered here. A nice selection of  single malts,
blends, a few 12 and 18yrs from Japan and even an Indian fusion.
Also check out the great whiskey cocktails.
I had a delicious concoction with Bulleit, muddled basil, and
seasonal cranberries. A few of the ladies ordered sliders.
I think everyone should have the queso-Marengo Style at least once.
Was too crowded during the last few Sf Summer days in October to
really enjoy the retractable roof. The crowd wasn't too rowdy,
(avoid on the weekends)  and we had a comfy area to hang random
girl s**t (purses, scarves, ponchos, etc.)Which for me made Marengo
just as enjoyable on a recently warm thursday evening as it is
for daytime drinking. . .

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2909 Webster St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 346-3431

Umami  

Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

4.0 star rating
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great start for Ladies Night.
We gathered for the Sumo Hour which has a small list of
yummy  $4-$8 apps and a variety of $5 rolls. Great for sharing.
Get the sliders!

http://umamisf.com/sta...

Also 50% off bottles during Sumo Hour(4 bottle max)
http://umamisf.com/sta...

Perfect starter spot for your night out.
Due to our large party, and reserving through Open Table
we scored the semi-private area steps away from the bustling bar.
Service was quick, friendly ,and efficient.
We were having drinks nearby, so we didn't indulge in cocktails this
evening. Yet on previous visits, everyone raved about the Hello Kitty
and the Bubbling Buddha. I myself am a huge fan of the Yuzu Girl.

Umami also has a gluten free menu, and if you desire something
a bit more refined than an eel roll come in for the ridiculously fresh  
high grade Tsukji  picks or the chef's Omakase  samplings.
Something for all.
The ambiance is very chill-low lighting and dark wood throughout.
I would return for a date night. The downstairs area is more conducive
to snuggling up for intimate conversation. . .

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3232 Scott St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 567-3838

BIN 38  

Categories: Wine Bars, American (New), Champagne Bars
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

5.0 star rating
10/17/2011 4 photos 1 Check-in Here
Great for a Date Night or Girls Night meetup.
The ladies and I enjoyed an Indian Summer evening
meal here earlier in the week.
We dined al fresco and started with a bottle of processco.
Our server Jeremy was super efficient, cute and provided
some great recommendations on his favorite dishes.
I highly recommend the Happy Hour Prix Fixe
3 courses with wine pairings for around $45.

1st course
Sweet Corn Soup
poblano chilies, coriander, crispy sweetbread, pepitas
Wine Pairing: Falcor Trousseau Gris

Butter Lettuces
cherries, feta, almonds, rioja vinaigrette
Wine Pairing: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

2nd course
Risotto
summer squash, baby tomatoes, sweet peppers, grana padano
Wine Pairing: Glen Carlou Chardonnay

Chicken Roulade
butter beans, mustard greens, salsa verde
Wine Pairing: Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti

Wild Boar Sugo
pappardelle, summer greens, basil, 63° egg
Wine Pairing: Durigutti Malbec

3rd course

Buttermilk Panna Cotta
summer berries, pistachios
Wine Pairing: D'Arenberg 'Sticky' Chardonnay

Ice Cream Sandwich
chocolate chip-walnut cookie, dulce de leche ice cream
Wine Pairing: Chateau de Jau Grenache Noir Banyul

We left full and happy and I enjoyed one of pairings soo much I
got a bottle of the Nobilo Sauv  to go :)
Most of the wines served are available for purchase on site
with a 40% discount(still quite a markup).
Will definitely return. . .

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246 Kearny St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-2827

Rickhouse  

Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Financial District

5.0 star rating
10/16/2011 2 photos 2 Check-ins Here
Can't believe I haven't reviewed Rickhouse yet.
I've visited a few times over the past two years.
A great place with wonderful and educated bartenders that
truly care about their craft. Visited most recently this saturday
with a few friends. We arrived on the earlier side on a saturday
evening-8:00ish and were able to sit at the large table in the front
bar-score for girls who'd been in heels all day. Throughout the
evening the place started to fill up with people coming from dinner
nearby or starting out the evening with a few drinks.
I was surprised to see a line at the door close to 9:00pm
The crowd seemed to be a nice mix of men and women with
live music starting around 8:30. We enjoyed 2 rounds, and
everything was fantastic. My libation of choice, the Sutter St. Swizzle. . . .

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601 Eddy St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 829-2316

Chambers Eat + Drink  

Categories: American (New), Lounges
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

4.0 star rating
Update - 9/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Update: Air Conditioning is now fully installed and operating.
I was contacted by Isabel to get some feedback on some of the
service hiccups and truly appreciate the caring, hands on
approach. Looking forward to the Indian Summer patio parties. . .

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 3.0 star rating
    9/26/2011

    I was won over by Chambers on two separate occasions.
    Once for drinks during a chill weekday evening after dinner nearby.
    Once for a daytime poolside fashion event featuring local vendors.
    I decided on dinner here with friends for my bday!
    From the start service was friendly, and efficient.
    Isabel returned emails and answered all questions right away.
    I got the table I wanted, and our server was great. She suggested  
    a few of her favorite items which were well received by the group.
    The cocktails and dishes are delish (GET the burger!)
    And the atmosphere has a fun electric vibe, contributed to by the
    good looking and diverse crowd. A great place to be on a
    weekend night-just stop by early while the patio lounge is still open.
    The Djs start around 10:00 in the back lounge and there is a good
    sized adjacent to the back bar. Recommended if you want dinner/drinks/Djs but  don't want to change venues.

    There were a few  hiccups;
    -At the start of our evening no one really seemed to know
    what was going on with coat check .
    We were told to get a ticket from the hostess, but she was busy seating patrons. A few friends waited about 10 minutes while one of the runners tried to track down someone who had the  coat check key/code.
    -All of the guys in our group thought it was too warm, and were
    sweaty and uncomfortable during dinner-no air conditioning.
    Hard to have a good time when you're uncomfortable, and in my
    opinion not acceptable when you're spending a nice chunk of $$ .
    -No fault of Chambers, but due to this being a residential area the
    outdoor pool area closes at 11:00. Everyone is funneled into the
    smaller lounge area or takes over the dining area tables which causes the space to become unbearably hot and cramped :/
    -Again with coat check. At the end of the night it was a pain to
    try and track down a staff member with the key/code to the coat
    check door. After waiting I went to find someone. When I came back another staff member had opened the door and was handing over coats without even looking at the tags-I'm just happy our jackets weren't handed out to a random stranger
    Would return, but hoping that Chambers will consider the feedback
    and improve were necessary. . . .

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88 5th St
San Francisco, CA 94103

SF Old Mint  

Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: SOMA

4.0 star rating
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Attended an Sf Cocktail Week event here over the weekend.
Such a wonderful space. Little hidden nooks and original light fixtures
throughout the space add to the charm. Exposed  wooden beams and bricks add to the old Sf feel. During this event separate stations were set up in the vaults in the basement. So happy I got to experience this local gem. . . .

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2200 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-1325

D & M Wine & Liquor Company  

Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

4.0 star rating
8/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've always wondered about D & M.
We frequent this area because of the shops and restaurants.
I'm a huge La Med fan(next door)and Marc J is across the street.
I stopped in last week to pick up a birthday gift.
First of all: THEY HAVE EVERYTHING.
I was very impressed with the collection of bubbly.
Second: Service is very friendly.
Theron was extremely helpful.
He gave various recommendations on their vast
Whisky and Scotch collection.
He asked lots of questions and I ended up purchasing a nice bottle
in my price range. The Ardbeg 10year went over very well. I signed up
for their mailing list and look forward to attending future tastings. . .

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864 Compliments

  • Thank You

    Is this the secret to your hawt bawd?!?!?!? ;)

  • Thank You

    Thanks for your kind words Kia! I hope you had a great weekend!

  • You're Cool

    banana bread pudding w/caramel sauce - this sounds divine!

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"*Fille Heureuse, La Vie Heureuse*"

Review votes:
1060 Useful, 551 Funny, and 985 Cool

Location

San Francisco, CA

Yelping Since

January 2006

Things I Love

the Ginger Rogers at Absinthe, date night, exploring Sf, my lovely friends, nights out dancing with my girls, indie films, froyo, lively conversations in dim bars, mochi balls, french films, pho, rum bars, happy hour

Find Me In

Russian Hill

My Hometown

The Bay Area

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm Living My Life Like It's Golden

My Second Favorite Website

http://shopbop.com, http://sfgate.com, http://jakandjil.com,

The Last Great Book I Read

The Syringa Tree

My First Concert

I think it was New Edition

My Favorite Movie

Secretary,The Wizard Of Oz, Lower City, Casino, Now: Medicine for Melancholy

My Last Meal On Earth

sushi

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

*I love documentaries*

Most Recent Discovery

Lovely shops in Russian Hill

Current Crush

Basil Gimlets made by Mac @ Tonic