Diana M.

6/4/2021

I live in California, not far from wine country so 60 Vines is right up my alley.  I come her every time I'm in town, usually multiple times. The food is delicious and the wine is plentiful. My faves are the zucchini, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. We usually sit at the bar and last night we had a great experience with Caleb.  We did a blind flight and tried to guess the varietals of our wines.  Caleb made the selections and they were great.

Head to the bar and ask for Caleb!

5/25/2016

I tried salsa over 10 years ago in a club setting (2 hour class before the party starts) and it didn't click.  I wasn't progressing. Fast forward to 2013 and I decided this was the year for me to learn salsa.  Enough with the class here, class there adding up to just knowing the basic step.  I found Miguel's class via Yelp and went almost every week for almost 2 years.  I went from basic step to club dancing to performing at a festival to boogieing in Cuba.  

Miguel is an incredible dancer, an attentive teacher and a generous human being.  I've been to several other teachers and he's the only one that focuses as much on how women should move as the men.  His hip movements put us ladies to shame!

Portland is very lucky to have him teaching there.  Go. Take his class, keep coming, it will be worth it.

5/9/2016

Somehow my car keeps driving to Hang Ten. I've been there at least once a week since I discovered this gem 5 weeks ago.  It's damn good.  The crab, the shrimp, the garlic noodles, errythang.

7/6/2015

My PT recommended I see Charles King after unsuccessfully reducing my hip bursitis pain.  He raved about Charles and how he treats from a more holistic (not the crunchy granola kind) approach vs localized treatment.  He said he was/is a 'next level' PT and that I needed that.  He was right! I've been to 3 sessions with Charles and I am already feeling a difference - less pain, walking better and dancing with minimal pain.  My hips have been a problem for 2 years and at it's worst it would keep me up a night, every night.

I can see the pain-free light at the end of the tunnel!

I kinda feel like I've been let in on an industry secret and if the secret gets out he'll be booked up for months.  

Charles is amazing! Don't suffer in pain like I did, make an appointment. NOW!

1/27/2015

I'm coming out of my Yelp retirement to write this one (it's been 5+ years).  I really want to love Plank.  It's the perfect addition to JLS and the Oakland entertainment scene, close to my hood and right up my alley (arcade+bowling is my jam), but that's where the good stuff ends.

I went on a Sunday evening so we didn't have to deal with the crowds I read about in other reviews.  We were greeted at the outside entrance by a hostess who directed us inside.  Once we walked in we weren't sure where to go or how the system worked.  We wanted to eat, but weren't sure if you could order food at the bar, the counters behind the lane or somewhere else.  So we walked up to the bar.  The bartender was having a very long conversation with one of the other employees so my friend said excuse me a couple of times to get his attention.  He motioned to his coworker as if to say hold on a sec and then turned to us and said - "Can't you see I'm talking" - in a very snippy and condescending way.  He proceeded to continue the conversation he was having with the other guy.  We were shocked and decided immediately to leave.  I don't expect bartenders or anyone in the service industry to kiss my arse, but I do expect common courtesy.  He could have easily said "Give me one second, I will be right with you" and we would've happily waited, ordered and tipped.  Instead he brought me out of Yelp writing retirement.

Plank - I'm pulling for you, but you need to hire better and train your staff on customer service.  Maybe a field trip to Mission Bowl?

10/6/2009

I gotta represent for OB's.  Let me start by saying the my parents and my friends visiting from LA (on separate occasions - Feb and Sept 2009 respectively) visited OB's before I did and LOVED IT.  Why it took me so long to get my butt over there I don't know.  I am so glad I finally did.  The food is EXCELLENT here and OB is a really nice guy with a sharp sense of sarcastic humor.  It's like having lunch or dinner at your uncle's house - you might have to get up and get your own drink if you're thirsty, if there's something you need speak up and don't wait for him to predict it.  OB is a one man show so he doesn't have time to sit and chat with you if the restaurant it full.  I did just get back from having brunch there and sitting around for 2 hours of eating and chatting with OB (I'm not even sure that's his name, but that's what I call him).  

Check any attitudes at the door and step into OB's living room cafe for an excellent Southern meets a touch of his Puerto Rican upbringing.

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  October 2009 Menu

  October 2009 Menu
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  Creole Breakfast - Cornmeal catfish, cheese grits(I don't like grits so he graciously replaced 'em with sauteed potatoes), eggs

  Creole Breakfast - Cornmeal catfish, cheese grits(I don't like grits so he graciously replaced 'em with sauteed potatoes), eggs

7/12/2009

How is it possible that I've lived in the Bay for 10 years and never heard of Fenton's?  Fortunately, I crawled out from the rock I've been under and man is Fenton's good!  My ignorance was bliss since now I have to fight the urge to go there everyday!

Oh and they always ask if you want hot or cold caramel (or fudge) - ah....they know, they really know me!  I hate melted ice cream (yes I'm weird), so cold caramel is heaven!

7/1/2009 Updated review

I hurt myself yesterday.  Oh man, the festivals there are as good as the ones I had in Jamaica. We lucked up and they were out of them so they made a fresh batch and they were hot and yum-my!

I'm officially a fan of any brown stew dish they make, I had the chicken yesterday and it was flavorful and plentiful. Get thee to Leimert Park.

6/25/2009

I haven't written a review in 2 months and Tropisueno is so good I'm compelled to shout about it.  I am a big fan of Mexican food and this place delivers.  It's fancy Mexican, so don't go there expecting Mission taqueria or taco truck style food.  I've been for lunch and dinner and both were excellent.  I had tacos for lunch and no matter how hungry you are, you cannot finish 3.  I tried and it wasn't pretty.  For dinner we had the shrimp cocktail, plantains with black beans, and chicken mole.  The shrimp cocktail is not your typical cold shrimp in a glass with cocktail sauce, it's like a ceviche, but drowning in a tomato based sauce with tons of lime.  Yummmmmm.  The black beans with the plantains were really good too and I can live without beans. The chips and salsa are yummy and don't get me started about the margaritas.  Umph, umph, umph.

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  2 item combo - flautas, chicken enchilada with mole poblano

  2 item combo - flautas, chicken enchilada with mole poblano
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  2 item combo - pork taco, chicken enchilada

  2 item combo - pork taco, chicken enchilada
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  Classic Margarita

  Classic Margarita

4/27/2009 Updated review

I've been a fan and a customer of Promila for years and it's high time I write an update to my initial reviews.

I think EVERYONE needs to experience the magic hands of Promila.  I had my not regular enough facial with her last Friday and when I was actually conscious it dawned on my why I love her so.  Her facials are more than just a facial, they're a facassage or facialssage.  I fall asleep every time and walk out there relaxed and looking amazing.

Promila also has services that you won't find at your typical skincare day spa - shiro dara, candling, and many other Ayurvedic treatments.  The Shiro dara experience is one I will never forget.  She drizzles warm oil over your forehead (your third eye) and it's so relaxing I ended up falling asleep and dreaming about being on some cliff overlooking the beach.

Get thee to Hercules (I know, I know...it's a hike, but well worth the drive).