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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Aslam’s Rasoi: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9162\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9111\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 14, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I was introduced to Indian food ten years ago and I have tried numerous Indian restaurants in the Bay Area, however my favorite food came from a particular restaurant I would frequent where Chef Mohammad Aslam was working his magic in the kitchen. I instantly became a fan of the father and son duo. While Mohammad cooks his family recipes, his son Asif runs the front of the house and does a little bit of everything, and despite the long lines and hungry crowds his demeanor is always pleasant and friendly. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To my surprise, the duo was no longer working at the restaurant which was disappointing because my palate missed their cooking. It was seven years ago that they opened Aslam’s Rasoi on Valencia Street and I was thrilled to be reunited with their flavors. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of my favorite dishes is the Samosas which are puff pastries filled with potatoes, peas, cumin and other various spices. They also make the best chutneys to add to it (and to just about anything). One of the chutneys they have is the mint chutney which has mint, yogurt, Serrano peppers, cilantro and lemon juice. The other is the tamarind chutney which is sweet and has thirteen different ingredients including apricot and pomegranate. Combine all three and it’s a party in your mouth! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The naans are made to order and are cooked in a tandoori oven. My favorites are the plain, onion, garlic and goat cheese naans. The onion and garlic naans have chunks of fresh garlic and onions unlike other places that season it with onion or garlic powder. The goat cheese naan is stuffed with a generous amount of cheese.\u003cbr>\nOther favorites are the tandoori chicken, lamb chops and the chicken korma (or anything korma). \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tandoori chicken is marinated for twenty-four hours in seven different spices. The platter arrives sizzling to your table, the chicken plated on a bed of onions and bell peppers, with each piece of chicken juicy including the breast meat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lamb chops also arrive sizzling to your table on a bed of onions and bell peppers; each bite is flavorful and tender. The lamb chops are marinated for forty-eight hours in thirteen different spices with fresh garlic and ginger. The chicken korma is cubed white meat, also very juicy. The korma is cream cashew sauce with a touch of roasted cumin and fenugreek. The colors are vibrant as well as the flavors. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to take a journey to Northern India with a little Pakistani influence, Aslam’s Rasoi is the place to visit. Everything is made fresh, all the portions are generous, and the customer service is outstanding. Although the restaurant is big and seats eighty-eight people, arrive early and be patient if you have to wait in line; it’s worth the wait. Or you can make reservations on opentable.com and you’ll be seated upon arrival. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be ready for an explosion of flavors to take over your mouth!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 14, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aslam’s Rasoi is in a great neighborhood on Valencia so it has a mixture of hipster, hippie, yuppie and family patrons. Parking on the street can be tough but we got a meter spot after a drive around the block. The greeting at the door was genuine and lovely and the staff seemed really happy to welcome us, there was no wait for our table.\u003cbr>\nThe interior to me seemed a bit drafty and dated but the restaurant and bathrooms were super clean and the kitchen, which you could see through a window, looked to be as well. The service however made up for the lack of atmosphere. Our server was fantastic and we had vegans, lactose free and gluten free diners; she made sure everyone knew which dishes would work for everyone. It was not crowded and easy to hear everyone at the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Pinot was unimpressive but the beers were good and frosty cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We ordered a bunch of appetizers and mains so we could get a good feel for the food. The naan was good and plentiful. The gobi pakoras were light, chick pea batter and fried. They were not greasy and you still had a bit of crunch from the cauliflower. They were lightly spiced and the flavor was mild and enjoyable. The vegetable pakoras were also good and you had a nice mix of squash and other vegetables with mild spices which again were quite tasty. The samosas were good as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The papadums were great and the dried lentil flavor really came through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mixed tandoori grill was one of the standout dishes and all the grilled items were hot and flavored with different spices. The fish flaked apart nicely and had a great curry flavor and my meat-eating friends felt the lamb was tender and had just the right amount of spices. The chicken was moist and tender and also spiced nicely. The sauces that came to the table were perfect, with the yogurt and mint cooling while the red sauce was fiery hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other dishes we were pleased with were the dal which had great flavors and the lentils which still had integrity. It was a beautiful dish; you could smell all the spices. I have found it’s hard to get dal without it being mushy yet this was not at all the case. The bengan bartha was also good although not as spicy as we had requested, however the flavors were good and the eggplant tasted great. The Kashmiri Biryani was unremarkable and didn’t have much flavor but the vegetable jalfrezi was quite good. It contained an interesting mix of baby corn, tomatoes, peppers and onions and was spicy and flavorful. It was served over some eggplant and spices; the mixture was interesting and tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aslam’s Rasoi had some interesting dishes and great service. I found it to be a bit generic and unimaginative but perhaps we needed to order better. The food was probably a “B” compared to encuentro which I would give an “A”. I gave Poesia a “B+” just for comparison. I might go back if I were in the neighborhood; the prices were certainly reasonable for the portion size.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Friday, April 12, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On a beautiful Friday evening in spring, we took BART from Oakland and headed to The Mission for some Pakistani food. Aslam’s Rasoi was an easy and pleasurable ten minute walk from the 24th Street station and we were greeted at the door by a friendly employee of the restaurant. Even though it was 6:00 pm on a Friday night, there were plenty of seats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The food at Aslam’s Rasoi is freshly prepared, especially compared to other Pakistani or Indian food places. The bhindi masala, okra with red bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and spices, was bright, lightly flavored and delicious. This is a favorite dish of mine and I really enjoyed their take on it. Our other main dishes included saag paneer, fresh spinach with cheese, and aloo mutter, potatoes and green peas in curry sauce, and both were also very freshly prepared and lighter than the usual fare. We were also pleased that we ordered the mixed bread basket of garlic and basil naan, onion kulcha and chapati. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the food was fresh and tasty, there was nothing else that really made it stand out in terms of offerings or flavor. The servers never recommended anything or guided us on what to order. I also feel the food is a bit overpriced. The vegetarian dishes were all $10-13, which seems much higher than equally delicious Pakistani or Indian food elsewhere at upscale restaurants. The portion sizes were very good and since we ordered three meals for two of us, we were able to take home leftovers. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their wine list is varied with good pairings for the spicier flavors of most Pakistani food. We ordered a Dry Gewürztraminer from Claiborne & Churchill for $35 and found it to be a good wine for our food choices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Service was very attentive and friendly at Aslam’s Rasoi but also sometimes a little over-eager. We had at least three different people come to our table after we sat down but before we ordered. Although welcoming, it was also a little distracting and confusing. Once we ordered our food, the appetizer of fried eggplant pakoras came out fairly quickly but then so did the rest of our dishes. We were still half-way through our appetizer when our main dishes arrived, so I felt a little rushed to finish instead of enjoying the start of the meal. At the end of the meal, no dessert menu was given to us and there was only a brief mention of rice pudding, which neither of us was interested in eating.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The décor and ambience is more upscale without being stuffy and overall felt very inviting. This would be a good restaurant for both date night and larger parties. Overall the food was good, and although fresh, not exceptional in any other way from other more upscale Pakistani or Indian restaurants. We enjoyed our meal and dining experience overall, but would not go out of our way to eat here again.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "\u003cstrong>Jack:\u003c/strong> \"Everything is made fresh, all the portions are generous, and the customer service is outstanding.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Jill:\u003c/strong> \"The mixed tandoori grill was one of the standout dishes and all the grilled items were hot and flavored with different spices.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Michelle:\u003c/strong> \"Although the food was fresh and tasty, there was nothing else that really made it stand out in terms of offerings or flavor.\"",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Aslam’s Rasoi: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9162\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9111\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 14, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I was introduced to Indian food ten years ago and I have tried numerous Indian restaurants in the Bay Area, however my favorite food came from a particular restaurant I would frequent where Chef Mohammad Aslam was working his magic in the kitchen. I instantly became a fan of the father and son duo. While Mohammad cooks his family recipes, his son Asif runs the front of the house and does a little bit of everything, and despite the long lines and hungry crowds his demeanor is always pleasant and friendly. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To my surprise, the duo was no longer working at the restaurant which was disappointing because my palate missed their cooking. It was seven years ago that they opened Aslam’s Rasoi on Valencia Street and I was thrilled to be reunited with their flavors. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of my favorite dishes is the Samosas which are puff pastries filled with potatoes, peas, cumin and other various spices. They also make the best chutneys to add to it (and to just about anything). One of the chutneys they have is the mint chutney which has mint, yogurt, Serrano peppers, cilantro and lemon juice. The other is the tamarind chutney which is sweet and has thirteen different ingredients including apricot and pomegranate. Combine all three and it’s a party in your mouth! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The naans are made to order and are cooked in a tandoori oven. My favorites are the plain, onion, garlic and goat cheese naans. The onion and garlic naans have chunks of fresh garlic and onions unlike other places that season it with onion or garlic powder. The goat cheese naan is stuffed with a generous amount of cheese.\u003cbr>\nOther favorites are the tandoori chicken, lamb chops and the chicken korma (or anything korma). \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tandoori chicken is marinated for twenty-four hours in seven different spices. The platter arrives sizzling to your table, the chicken plated on a bed of onions and bell peppers, with each piece of chicken juicy including the breast meat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lamb chops also arrive sizzling to your table on a bed of onions and bell peppers; each bite is flavorful and tender. The lamb chops are marinated for forty-eight hours in thirteen different spices with fresh garlic and ginger. The chicken korma is cubed white meat, also very juicy. The korma is cream cashew sauce with a touch of roasted cumin and fenugreek. The colors are vibrant as well as the flavors. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to take a journey to Northern India with a little Pakistani influence, Aslam’s Rasoi is the place to visit. Everything is made fresh, all the portions are generous, and the customer service is outstanding. Although the restaurant is big and seats eighty-eight people, arrive early and be patient if you have to wait in line; it’s worth the wait. Or you can make reservations on opentable.com and you’ll be seated upon arrival. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be ready for an explosion of flavors to take over your mouth!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 14, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aslam’s Rasoi is in a great neighborhood on Valencia so it has a mixture of hipster, hippie, yuppie and family patrons. Parking on the street can be tough but we got a meter spot after a drive around the block. The greeting at the door was genuine and lovely and the staff seemed really happy to welcome us, there was no wait for our table.\u003cbr>\nThe interior to me seemed a bit drafty and dated but the restaurant and bathrooms were super clean and the kitchen, which you could see through a window, looked to be as well. The service however made up for the lack of atmosphere. Our server was fantastic and we had vegans, lactose free and gluten free diners; she made sure everyone knew which dishes would work for everyone. It was not crowded and easy to hear everyone at the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Pinot was unimpressive but the beers were good and frosty cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We ordered a bunch of appetizers and mains so we could get a good feel for the food. The naan was good and plentiful. The gobi pakoras were light, chick pea batter and fried. They were not greasy and you still had a bit of crunch from the cauliflower. They were lightly spiced and the flavor was mild and enjoyable. The vegetable pakoras were also good and you had a nice mix of squash and other vegetables with mild spices which again were quite tasty. The samosas were good as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The papadums were great and the dried lentil flavor really came through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mixed tandoori grill was one of the standout dishes and all the grilled items were hot and flavored with different spices. The fish flaked apart nicely and had a great curry flavor and my meat-eating friends felt the lamb was tender and had just the right amount of spices. The chicken was moist and tender and also spiced nicely. The sauces that came to the table were perfect, with the yogurt and mint cooling while the red sauce was fiery hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other dishes we were pleased with were the dal which had great flavors and the lentils which still had integrity. It was a beautiful dish; you could smell all the spices. I have found it’s hard to get dal without it being mushy yet this was not at all the case. The bengan bartha was also good although not as spicy as we had requested, however the flavors were good and the eggplant tasted great. The Kashmiri Biryani was unremarkable and didn’t have much flavor but the vegetable jalfrezi was quite good. It contained an interesting mix of baby corn, tomatoes, peppers and onions and was spicy and flavorful. It was served over some eggplant and spices; the mixture was interesting and tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aslam’s Rasoi had some interesting dishes and great service. I found it to be a bit generic and unimaginative but perhaps we needed to order better. The food was probably a “B” compared to encuentro which I would give an “A”. I gave Poesia a “B+” just for comparison. I might go back if I were in the neighborhood; the prices were certainly reasonable for the portion size.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Aslam’s Rasoi:\u003c/strong> Friday, April 12, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On a beautiful Friday evening in spring, we took BART from Oakland and headed to The Mission for some Pakistani food. Aslam’s Rasoi was an easy and pleasurable ten minute walk from the 24th Street station and we were greeted at the door by a friendly employee of the restaurant. Even though it was 6:00 pm on a Friday night, there were plenty of seats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The food at Aslam’s Rasoi is freshly prepared, especially compared to other Pakistani or Indian food places. The bhindi masala, okra with red bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and spices, was bright, lightly flavored and delicious. This is a favorite dish of mine and I really enjoyed their take on it. Our other main dishes included saag paneer, fresh spinach with cheese, and aloo mutter, potatoes and green peas in curry sauce, and both were also very freshly prepared and lighter than the usual fare. We were also pleased that we ordered the mixed bread basket of garlic and basil naan, onion kulcha and chapati. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the food was fresh and tasty, there was nothing else that really made it stand out in terms of offerings or flavor. The servers never recommended anything or guided us on what to order. I also feel the food is a bit overpriced. The vegetarian dishes were all $10-13, which seems much higher than equally delicious Pakistani or Indian food elsewhere at upscale restaurants. The portion sizes were very good and since we ordered three meals for two of us, we were able to take home leftovers. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their wine list is varied with good pairings for the spicier flavors of most Pakistani food. We ordered a Dry Gewürztraminer from Claiborne & Churchill for $35 and found it to be a good wine for our food choices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Service was very attentive and friendly at Aslam’s Rasoi but also sometimes a little over-eager. We had at least three different people come to our table after we sat down but before we ordered. Although welcoming, it was also a little distracting and confusing. Once we ordered our food, the appetizer of fried eggplant pakoras came out fairly quickly but then so did the rest of our dishes. We were still half-way through our appetizer when our main dishes arrived, so I felt a little rushed to finish instead of enjoying the start of the meal. At the end of the meal, no dessert menu was given to us and there was only a brief mention of rice pudding, which neither of us was interested in eating.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The décor and ambience is more upscale without being stuffy and overall felt very inviting. This would be a good restaurant for both date night and larger parties. Overall the food was good, and although fresh, not exceptional in any other way from other more upscale Pakistani or Indian restaurants. We enjoyed our meal and dining experience overall, but would not go out of our way to eat here again.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Poesia: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9179\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9111\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 30, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant in the heart of the Castro. The interior is rustic and homey. The owners wanted to create a restaurant that captures the feel of an Italian home on the Calabrian coast and they did just that. The old black and white Italian movies playing on the wall added an air of authenticity. The staff is incredibly attentive without being invasive and the manager greets you at the door like an old friend. Parking can be tough but it is easily accessible through public transportation and there is street parking as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bar is fun and the bartender, Teddy is adorable and creates compelling specialty cocktails. His vodka martini, Dante, made with basil is a gorgeous green color and tastes amazing. They have great selection of California and Italian wines and the pours are generous. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and not only went out of their way to accommodate our vegan diners but also offered gluten-free options, which is pretty impressive for an Italian restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We started with olives marinated in mint and orange. It was a good variety and the citrus flavor with the mint brought out the flavors of each type of olive. We also had the organic tomato bread soup to share and the waiter very nicely gave us a generous pour in two bowls. It was garden fresh, full-flavored with a deep intense flavor and let the tomatoes be the star. We also had the kale salad with fennel and apples. The kale was fresh and delicious with a lovely light balsamic dressing that played up the crunch of the apples and fennel. Our non-vegan diners tried the squid ink ravioli filled with crab. The presentation was spectacular and the pasta was cooked to perfection with the freshest crab filling; the flavors of the ingredients were allowed to shine. Our mains were all different and the presentation was gorgeous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The chef was gracious and made a special vegan pasta with orecchiette that had fresh and spicy tomato sauce and farmer’s market mushrooms. It was delicious. The pink fettuccine with gorgonzola, caramelized radicchio, walnuts and gorgonzola was perfectly cooked and the textures of the smooth cheese and walnuts made a nice contrast. The dessert options at Poesia vary, but the star this night was the tiramisu served in a mason jar. It was smooth and delicate and the presentation was fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is a special treat and feels like a night of vacation in Italy. The name of the restaurant means “poetry,” and from the greeting at the door and the wonderful cocktails to the perfectly cooked handmade pastas, it was like poetry in action. Thanks to the attention to detail and willingness to accommodate and delight special dietary needs, this friendly and fun neighborhood restaurant is a place to which I enjoy returning.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 7, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our experience at Poesia began with a warm “Buonasera!” as owner Francesco d’Ippolito greeted us to his charming Italian restaurant in the Castro. We were given a lovely seat near the window, which gave us ample opportunity to people watch down below on all the lively happenings in the neighborhood. Alas, we were not in Italy, but Francesco’s warm service and great food, plus the Castro’s own charm, made for a wonderful dining experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Francesco personally attended to our table for the first part of our meal, which made us feel well taken care of as we negotiated both the extensive wine list and wonderful food offerings. He helped us decide on a great wine option, given consideration to both our tastes and price point. He clearly knows his Italian wine regions well and was able to give us helpful and interesting information about the wines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After ordering and enjoying some bread with delicious, local olive oil, we were served our appetizers and salads. My husband ordered the gnocchi with Mediterranean mussels and saffron, and although I did not try the mussels myself, I loved the gnocchi in saffron sauce. The gnocchi were light and flavorful, and the saffron sauce was luxurious. My friend and I both ordered salads, both were crisp, refreshing and perfectly dressed. I personally love kale, so it was nice to see a kale salad being featured in an upscale Italian restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The menu is both creative and seasonal and I appreciated their desire to follow the principles of the Slow Food Movement by choosing local, organic and sustainable foods, including their meats. However, as someone who does not eat meat (other than fish occasionally) I did find the menu a bit limited in vegetarian options. My husband ordered the grilled whole Mediterranean sea bass and my friend ordered the pork tenderloin wrapped in pancetta and both really loved the quality and flavor of their meals. I ordered the special of the evening—Tortello di Barbabietola con Ricotta Affumicata—a roasted red beet ravioli, with a light butter sage sauce and shaved smoked ricotta cheese. It was absolutely delicious!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our meal finished perfectly by sharing two desserts—the tiramisu and the chocolate mousse. Each one took a classic dessert and made it both special and inventive. The tiramisu was light and perfectly flavored with Grand Marnier, coffee and a hint of orange. The chocolate mousse was more like ganache in its richness and full chocolate flavor, which was great, and was mellowed out nicely by the mascarpone on the side. What made the dessert extraordinary was that it was served with olive oil, cayenne and sea salt which really tasted quite wonderful and surprising.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall, I really enjoyed our entire eating experience at Poesia. However, it was a very expensive night out even though we did not splurge in our choices or meal options. Paying $16 for five vegetarian ravioli (with no side vegetable) seems quite pricey, even though I completely understand I was paying for quality. I appreciate the quality food and the great service, so this would definitely be more of a special occasion restaurant for our budget. The décor was lovely and reminded all three of us of our travels in Italy. It is small and cozy and by the time we left, the place was full of happy eaters on a Sunday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Thursday, April 11, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is located in the Castro/Noe Valley neighborhoods. It’s a Victorian house and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. However once you find it, it’s like you have walked into someone’s home in Southern Italy. The owner, Francesco, greets you upon arrival and before you know it you’re walking into what could have been someone’s living room, but it’s filled with tables, candles, linens and warm colors of orange terracotta and yellow walls with a silent Italian film projecting on the wall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Generous portions! Everything we ordered was large enough for one or two people. Our favorites were the lamb shanks, gluten-free pasta with braised pork ragù and the tiramisu. Everything is plated as if there was a food stylist in the kitchen. The food tasted as if the recipes had been passed down from generations; everything is homemade.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The staff is so friendly that they make you feel at home; it’s truly a hidden gem in the Castro/Noe Valley neighborhoods.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Poesia: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9179\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=9111\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 30, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant in the heart of the Castro. The interior is rustic and homey. The owners wanted to create a restaurant that captures the feel of an Italian home on the Calabrian coast and they did just that. The old black and white Italian movies playing on the wall added an air of authenticity. The staff is incredibly attentive without being invasive and the manager greets you at the door like an old friend. Parking can be tough but it is easily accessible through public transportation and there is street parking as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bar is fun and the bartender, Teddy is adorable and creates compelling specialty cocktails. His vodka martini, Dante, made with basil is a gorgeous green color and tastes amazing. They have great selection of California and Italian wines and the pours are generous. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and not only went out of their way to accommodate our vegan diners but also offered gluten-free options, which is pretty impressive for an Italian restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We started with olives marinated in mint and orange. It was a good variety and the citrus flavor with the mint brought out the flavors of each type of olive. We also had the organic tomato bread soup to share and the waiter very nicely gave us a generous pour in two bowls. It was garden fresh, full-flavored with a deep intense flavor and let the tomatoes be the star. We also had the kale salad with fennel and apples. The kale was fresh and delicious with a lovely light balsamic dressing that played up the crunch of the apples and fennel. Our non-vegan diners tried the squid ink ravioli filled with crab. The presentation was spectacular and the pasta was cooked to perfection with the freshest crab filling; the flavors of the ingredients were allowed to shine. Our mains were all different and the presentation was gorgeous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The chef was gracious and made a special vegan pasta with orecchiette that had fresh and spicy tomato sauce and farmer’s market mushrooms. It was delicious. The pink fettuccine with gorgonzola, caramelized radicchio, walnuts and gorgonzola was perfectly cooked and the textures of the smooth cheese and walnuts made a nice contrast. The dessert options at Poesia vary, but the star this night was the tiramisu served in a mason jar. It was smooth and delicate and the presentation was fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is a special treat and feels like a night of vacation in Italy. The name of the restaurant means “poetry,” and from the greeting at the door and the wonderful cocktails to the perfectly cooked handmade pastas, it was like poetry in action. Thanks to the attention to detail and willingness to accommodate and delight special dietary needs, this friendly and fun neighborhood restaurant is a place to which I enjoy returning.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Sunday, April 7, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our experience at Poesia began with a warm “Buonasera!” as owner Francesco d’Ippolito greeted us to his charming Italian restaurant in the Castro. We were given a lovely seat near the window, which gave us ample opportunity to people watch down below on all the lively happenings in the neighborhood. Alas, we were not in Italy, but Francesco’s warm service and great food, plus the Castro’s own charm, made for a wonderful dining experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Francesco personally attended to our table for the first part of our meal, which made us feel well taken care of as we negotiated both the extensive wine list and wonderful food offerings. He helped us decide on a great wine option, given consideration to both our tastes and price point. He clearly knows his Italian wine regions well and was able to give us helpful and interesting information about the wines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After ordering and enjoying some bread with delicious, local olive oil, we were served our appetizers and salads. My husband ordered the gnocchi with Mediterranean mussels and saffron, and although I did not try the mussels myself, I loved the gnocchi in saffron sauce. The gnocchi were light and flavorful, and the saffron sauce was luxurious. My friend and I both ordered salads, both were crisp, refreshing and perfectly dressed. I personally love kale, so it was nice to see a kale salad being featured in an upscale Italian restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The menu is both creative and seasonal and I appreciated their desire to follow the principles of the Slow Food Movement by choosing local, organic and sustainable foods, including their meats. However, as someone who does not eat meat (other than fish occasionally) I did find the menu a bit limited in vegetarian options. My husband ordered the grilled whole Mediterranean sea bass and my friend ordered the pork tenderloin wrapped in pancetta and both really loved the quality and flavor of their meals. I ordered the special of the evening—Tortello di Barbabietola con Ricotta Affumicata—a roasted red beet ravioli, with a light butter sage sauce and shaved smoked ricotta cheese. It was absolutely delicious!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our meal finished perfectly by sharing two desserts—the tiramisu and the chocolate mousse. Each one took a classic dessert and made it both special and inventive. The tiramisu was light and perfectly flavored with Grand Marnier, coffee and a hint of orange. The chocolate mousse was more like ganache in its richness and full chocolate flavor, which was great, and was mellowed out nicely by the mascarpone on the side. What made the dessert extraordinary was that it was served with olive oil, cayenne and sea salt which really tasted quite wonderful and surprising.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall, I really enjoyed our entire eating experience at Poesia. However, it was a very expensive night out even though we did not splurge in our choices or meal options. Paying $16 for five vegetarian ravioli (with no side vegetable) seems quite pricey, even though I completely understand I was paying for quality. I appreciate the quality food and the great service, so this would definitely be more of a special occasion restaurant for our budget. The décor was lovely and reminded all three of us of our travels in Italy. It is small and cozy and by the time we left, the place was full of happy eaters on a Sunday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Poesia:\u003c/strong> Thursday, April 11, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Poesia is located in the Castro/Noe Valley neighborhoods. It’s a Victorian house and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. However once you find it, it’s like you have walked into someone’s home in Southern Italy. The owner, Francesco, greets you upon arrival and before you know it you’re walking into what could have been someone’s living room, but it’s filled with tables, candles, linens and warm colors of orange terracotta and yellow walls with a silent Italian film projecting on the wall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Generous portions! Everything we ordered was large enough for one or two people. Our favorites were the lamb shanks, gluten-free pasta with braised pork ragù and the tiramisu. Everything is plated as if there was a food stylist in the kitchen. The food tasted as if the recipes had been passed down from generations; everything is homemade.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The staff is so friendly that they make you feel at home; it’s truly a hidden gem in the Castro/Noe Valley neighborhoods.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>encuentro café and wine bar: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/2013/09/04/encuentro-cafe-and-wine-bar-restaurant-info/>restaurant%20info%20+%20video</a>%20%7C%20<a%20href=\" http:>full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 6, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro café and wine bar creates flavorful, nourishing and delicious vegetarian and vegan food in an atmosphere that is inviting and cozy. The food is always fresh and inventive, the wine list options are well-considered, and the wait staff is ready to answer any questions or offer suggestions. encuentro means “to meet, gather, encounter” and I think that is a perfect description of this charming Oakland dining experience.\u003cbr>\nSince much of the food is local and organic, their menu changes with the seasons. In general they serve small bites, salads, bruschetta, and then a variety of smaller meals ranging from inventive sandwiches to fresh takes on dishes like gnocchi, quesadillas or polenta. The menu is always interesting and lovingly prepared and really celebrates the quality and flavor of seasonal foods. They also have amazing desserts, some of which are dairy-free, like tiramisu, hazelnut pudding and their amazing chocolate cake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For my most recent visit, I went there to celebrate my birthday with my husband and three friends. It was so much fun to order so many different foods and share them. The flavors of the food are really highlighted through creative pairings like dates with macadamia nut pate and walnut honey for a lovely appetizer or the bruschetta with roasted beets, hazelnuts, macadamia nut “cheese” and golden balsamic reduction. Each of the dishes offered something both surprising and comforting in their tastes, combining earthy flavors with sweet and spicy in an excellent balance. The dark green salad with kale, arugula, roasted beets, and cashew cheese was perfectly dressed and rich without being heavy; it was also well-plated in a deconstructed style that made sharing a great experience. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Everything in the restaurant is vegetarian and many of the plates can be made vegan. However, rather than finding replacements for meat, encuentro selects quality foods in delicious combinations that really celebrate the wonders and flavor of the food. Since it is also a wine bar, the well-thought out and varied wine list also needs to be acknowledged. One of my favorite things to do is to get the wine flight because you can choose which three wines you want from the list, making it a great way to try new wines or pair different wines with different small plates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro has managed to make its small location feel open and welcoming with large windows, modern yet cozy eco-friendly décor, and delightful touches like fresh flowers on the tables. It is a great place to make an evening out of, to share food and wine and conversation for hours, or also a good place to come in for a salad, bruschetta and glass of wine. This place can be a special occasion destination or a light meal before or after a show in Jack London.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 13, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro is located in an up and coming part of the Jack London neighborhood of Oakland. Parking in the evening is easy and it’s conveniently located less than a block from the Oakland Amtrak station. The ambiance is loud but fun. Everyone is friendly, from the staff to the patrons. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trying a vegetarian restaurant would not be first on my list however, encuentro has convinced me otherwise. My favorite was the bruschetta with roasted beets, goat cheese with a balsamic reduction and chives. The bruschetta was crispy and the sweet and savory flavors in every bite popped in your mouth and had me ordering seconds! The flavors were a great combination with the Kings Ridge Pinot Noir. This bruschetta is one of the best things I have ever tasted and I highly recommend it. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quesadilla was recommended by a patron that had dined there the night before. He had loved it so much he returned the following evening, so I took his recommendation and ordered it. The quesadilla had cheddar cheese and a few whole beans (not too much), however it was very bland. What made the dish was the green salad that accompanied the quesadilla. The green salad was light, fresh, and crispy with one of the best champagne vinaigrettes I’ve ever tasted. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The vegan chocolate cake was very moist; one wouldn’t even realize it was vegan. Delicious! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My other favorite dish was the deviled eggs. The eggs are whipped, topped with paprika, and both sweet and savory. You can taste the sweet pickle juice in the recipe. It took me back to the way my mom used to make them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One thing I recommend they should include in their menu is gluten-free bread; I was surprised that they don’t offer it. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trying a vegetarian restaurant changed my mind about vegetarian food. I’ll be back!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 13, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro was fantastic! The parking was easy and the restaurant is a really cool space with fun art and an interesting cork bar top. It is light and bright with outdoor seating and plate glass windows so you get to see folks walking past. It is small so even though we arrived at 6, without a reservation we were seated at the counter. The noise level was fine and the energy was great. The staff was super knowledgeable and attentive and happy to answer any questions. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We started with the Stomping Girl Pinot which I had never heard of. The wine was rich and the pour generous. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Next came the stuffed dates and macadamia nut paste. The dates were sweet and melted in your mouth and the macadamia nut paste was flavorful and the perfect pairing with the balsamic cherry reduction sauce that we wiped off the plate because we wanted to get every last bit of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The delicious salads were layered with texture and flavor. The citrus, chicory and avocado salad was a great mix of lettuces and had farm fresh lettuces, soft goat cheese and a great crunch of hazelnuts. The fresh citrus of the blood oranges played up the subtle champagne vinaigrette dressing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Dark Green salad was thoughtfully composed and one of the most artistic salads I have ever seen. It was fresh and soft kale, arugula with a hint of heat and surprise elements in every bite. The crunch of the fennel and the toasted pecans added a great texture and the roasted beets and apples combined with the French lentils made every bite a wonderful combination of flavors. The Little Gem Caesar was a treat with watermelon radishes providing a great crunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our mains were great and we only ordered two to share because we were so tempted by the dessert selections that we wanted to save room. The Open Faced Tempeh Reuben was so authentic that you could have closed your eyes and thought you were actually eating a reuben made with meat. The braised red cabbage with apples was delicious and a brilliant substitution for the often bland coleslaw that can sometimes go with reubens. The bread was great and the portions huge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Hijiki sea cakes were a thing of beauty and served with a house made tartar sauce and a chili jam that had just the right amount of heat. The cakes stayed together and the flavors came together perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Desserts were masterful. The coconut vanilla pudding was light and smooth and had a delicate flavor. The raw apple raspberry pie with a pecan crumble crust was crunchy with a light and tasty soy whipped cream. The piece-de-resistance in my mind was the chocolate cake which was light and fluffy without being dry. It had a chocolate ganache frosting and we could not stop eating it. I finished it off with the last of my Pinot and it was a few bites of heaven. All in all it was a fabulous meal and a great experience with attention to every detail and I would go back anytime.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "\u003cstrong>Michelle:\u003c/strong> \"They also have amazing desserts, some of which are dairy-free, like tiramisu, hazelnut pudding and their amazing chocolate cake.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Jack:\u003c/strong> \"My favorite was the bruschetta with roasted beets, goat cheese with a balsamic reduction and chives.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Jill:\u003c/strong> \"The delicious salads were layered with texture and flavor.\"",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>encuentro café and wine bar: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/2013/09/04/encuentro-cafe-and-wine-bar-restaurant-info/>restaurant%20info%20+%20video</a>%20%7C%20<a%20href=\" http:>full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/michelle-dwyer125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Dwyer\" title=\"Michelle Dwyer\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Michelle\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Oakland\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> encuentro café and wine bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 6, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro café and wine bar creates flavorful, nourishing and delicious vegetarian and vegan food in an atmosphere that is inviting and cozy. The food is always fresh and inventive, the wine list options are well-considered, and the wait staff is ready to answer any questions or offer suggestions. encuentro means “to meet, gather, encounter” and I think that is a perfect description of this charming Oakland dining experience.\u003cbr>\nSince much of the food is local and organic, their menu changes with the seasons. In general they serve small bites, salads, bruschetta, and then a variety of smaller meals ranging from inventive sandwiches to fresh takes on dishes like gnocchi, quesadillas or polenta. The menu is always interesting and lovingly prepared and really celebrates the quality and flavor of seasonal foods. They also have amazing desserts, some of which are dairy-free, like tiramisu, hazelnut pudding and their amazing chocolate cake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For my most recent visit, I went there to celebrate my birthday with my husband and three friends. It was so much fun to order so many different foods and share them. The flavors of the food are really highlighted through creative pairings like dates with macadamia nut pate and walnut honey for a lovely appetizer or the bruschetta with roasted beets, hazelnuts, macadamia nut “cheese” and golden balsamic reduction. Each of the dishes offered something both surprising and comforting in their tastes, combining earthy flavors with sweet and spicy in an excellent balance. The dark green salad with kale, arugula, roasted beets, and cashew cheese was perfectly dressed and rich without being heavy; it was also well-plated in a deconstructed style that made sharing a great experience. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Everything in the restaurant is vegetarian and many of the plates can be made vegan. However, rather than finding replacements for meat, encuentro selects quality foods in delicious combinations that really celebrate the wonders and flavor of the food. Since it is also a wine bar, the well-thought out and varied wine list also needs to be acknowledged. One of my favorite things to do is to get the wine flight because you can choose which three wines you want from the list, making it a great way to try new wines or pair different wines with different small plates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro has managed to make its small location feel open and welcoming with large windows, modern yet cozy eco-friendly décor, and delightful touches like fresh flowers on the tables. It is a great place to make an evening out of, to share food and wine and conversation for hours, or also a good place to come in for a salad, bruschetta and glass of wine. This place can be a special occasion destination or a light meal before or after a show in Jack London.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jack-salamy125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Salamy\" title=\"Jack Salamy\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jack\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Longshoreman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Mateo\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Aslam’s Rasoi\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 13, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro is located in an up and coming part of the Jack London neighborhood of Oakland. Parking in the evening is easy and it’s conveniently located less than a block from the Oakland Amtrak station. The ambiance is loud but fun. Everyone is friendly, from the staff to the patrons. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trying a vegetarian restaurant would not be first on my list however, encuentro has convinced me otherwise. My favorite was the bruschetta with roasted beets, goat cheese with a balsamic reduction and chives. The bruschetta was crispy and the sweet and savory flavors in every bite popped in your mouth and had me ordering seconds! The flavors were a great combination with the Kings Ridge Pinot Noir. This bruschetta is one of the best things I have ever tasted and I highly recommend it. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The quesadilla was recommended by a patron that had dined there the night before. He had loved it so much he returned the following evening, so I took his recommendation and ordered it. The quesadilla had cheddar cheese and a few whole beans (not too much), however it was very bland. What made the dish was the green salad that accompanied the quesadilla. The green salad was light, fresh, and crispy with one of the best champagne vinaigrettes I’ve ever tasted. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The vegan chocolate cake was very moist; one wouldn’t even realize it was vegan. Delicious! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My other favorite dish was the deviled eggs. The eggs are whipped, topped with paprika, and both sweet and savory. You can taste the sweet pickle juice in the recipe. It took me back to the way my mom used to make them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One thing I recommend they should include in their menu is gluten-free bread; I was surprised that they don’t offer it. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trying a vegetarian restaurant changed my mind about vegetarian food. I’ll be back!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/08/jill-hamilton125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jill Hamilton\" title=\"Jill Hamilton\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jill\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Horse Trainer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Poesia\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed encuentro café and wine bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, April 13, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>encuentro was fantastic! The parking was easy and the restaurant is a really cool space with fun art and an interesting cork bar top. It is light and bright with outdoor seating and plate glass windows so you get to see folks walking past. It is small so even though we arrived at 6, without a reservation we were seated at the counter. The noise level was fine and the energy was great. The staff was super knowledgeable and attentive and happy to answer any questions. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We started with the Stomping Girl Pinot which I had never heard of. The wine was rich and the pour generous. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Next came the stuffed dates and macadamia nut paste. The dates were sweet and melted in your mouth and the macadamia nut paste was flavorful and the perfect pairing with the balsamic cherry reduction sauce that we wiped off the plate because we wanted to get every last bit of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The delicious salads were layered with texture and flavor. The citrus, chicory and avocado salad was a great mix of lettuces and had farm fresh lettuces, soft goat cheese and a great crunch of hazelnuts. The fresh citrus of the blood oranges played up the subtle champagne vinaigrette dressing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Dark Green salad was thoughtfully composed and one of the most artistic salads I have ever seen. It was fresh and soft kale, arugula with a hint of heat and surprise elements in every bite. The crunch of the fennel and the toasted pecans added a great texture and the roasted beets and apples combined with the French lentils made every bite a wonderful combination of flavors. The Little Gem Caesar was a treat with watermelon radishes providing a great crunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our mains were great and we only ordered two to share because we were so tempted by the dessert selections that we wanted to save room. The Open Faced Tempeh Reuben was so authentic that you could have closed your eyes and thought you were actually eating a reuben made with meat. The braised red cabbage with apples was delicious and a brilliant substitution for the often bland coleslaw that can sometimes go with reubens. The bread was great and the portions huge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Hijiki sea cakes were a thing of beauty and served with a house made tartar sauce and a chili jam that had just the right amount of heat. The cakes stayed together and the flavors came together perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Desserts were masterful. The coconut vanilla pudding was light and smooth and had a delicate flavor. The raw apple raspberry pie with a pecan crumble crust was crunchy with a light and tasty soy whipped cream. The piece-de-resistance in my mind was the chocolate cake which was light and fluffy without being dry. It had a chocolate ganache frosting and we could not stop eating it. I finished it off with the last of my Pinot and it was a few bites of heaven. All in all it was a fabulous meal and a great experience with attention to every detail and I would go back anytime.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hunan Home’s Restaurant: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8927\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" title=\"Emily Butler\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 27, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hunan Home’s is a Chinatown gem, featuring accessible Chinese food in a warm, friendly, casual environment. A family-owned and operated business; Hunan Home’s was established in 1983. As a Chinatown resident, this has been our neighborhood spot for close to two years. My boyfriend and I most recently dined on a busy weeknight and were lucky to be seated immediately. We were greeted with complimentary Jasmine tea—a nice touch for a cold Bay Area evening. We started with the Sizzling Rice Soup and Pot stickers. The soup is served tableside in a dramatic presentation, as crispy rice drops into the hot soup making a distinct sizzle noise—an ode to the dish’s name. The soup is filled with tender shrimp and chicken and lots of vegetables. The broth is perfectly clear, and was a delicious way to begin the meal. We enjoy all of their soups including their famous Hot and Sour and Wonton. The pot stickers are also served tableside, with a custom blend of rice wine vinegar, chili oil and soy sauce for dipping. They boasted a beautiful golden brown exterior, and were filled with a large portion of ground pork and vegetables. Next, we enjoyed their signature Orange Peel Chicken. Large chunks of perfectly fried chicken are covered in a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy sauce. Delicious and fragrant orange is apparent throughout the dish, which is served over a bed of tangy, pickled vegetables. We always order this dish whether we’re eating in or taking-out—it’s a must-have. We also enjoy their beef dishes including the Beef with String Beans, composed of tender beef in a savory sauce with crisp green beans. Finally, we were served the Mu Shu Pork, which is elegantly prepared tableside. Our server used large serving spoons to construct and serve our individual pancakes—a lovely touch. The pork was tender and the cabbage and mushroom mixture was perfectly shredded to create the perfect consistency for the pancake. The classic tangy, rich hoisin sauce and scallion was liberally wrapped in our pancakes making every bite as good as the last. The portions are large and we definitely took home our leftovers. I highly recommend this restaurant to both the gourmet and tourist alike. It’s consistently delicious and you won’t be disappointed. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hunan Home’s is a Chinese restaurant tucked against the edge of Chinatown near Jackson Square. Getting there is typical for San Francisco with a number of parking garages or metered street parking nearby. With so many Chinese restaurants to choose from in the neighborhood, Hunan Home’s unfortunately does not stand out for its food or service. Almost across the board, all the dishes were over salted and lacked any depth of flavor. The lone standout was the hot & sour soup — though it alone would not bring me back to this below average restaurant. There are two primary seating areas — one on street level and one in a basement level. The basement level seating gives the feeling of a hotel banquet room which could be located in any city…so ambiance is definitely lacking. The food is inexpensive with many lunch options below $10. So if you’re looking for cheap, below average Chinese food Hunan Home’s is your place.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 2, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wasn’t blown away by Hunan Home’s restaurant. I was really looking forward to eating in SF’s Chinatown since I so rarely get out there to eat. The ambience was very “homey” in the smaller front dining room, with jade-green, indoor ceramic pagoda shingles, and was full of couples and some families eating what looked like great dishes. I found the service to be slightly on the impatient and indifferent side, and the food to be good, and solid, but not mind-blowing. However…it was cheap. At $50 for 4 people, I guess there isn’t much room to complain in that regard, but I found the overall experience a bit disappointing. The menu was huge, and we ordered some old stand-by’s, like the mu-shu and fried rice, and went with the waiter’s “recommendation” of the sizzling sliced fish and “Two Kinds of Mushrooms.” Again, the food was good, but not the Chinatown SF meal I’d hoped for. If I were an SF local I might come back, because it was decent and cheap, but I wouldn’t make a night of it coming from the East Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Hunan Home’s Restaurant: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8927\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" title=\"Emily Butler\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 27, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hunan Home’s is a Chinatown gem, featuring accessible Chinese food in a warm, friendly, casual environment. A family-owned and operated business; Hunan Home’s was established in 1983. As a Chinatown resident, this has been our neighborhood spot for close to two years. My boyfriend and I most recently dined on a busy weeknight and were lucky to be seated immediately. We were greeted with complimentary Jasmine tea—a nice touch for a cold Bay Area evening. We started with the Sizzling Rice Soup and Pot stickers. The soup is served tableside in a dramatic presentation, as crispy rice drops into the hot soup making a distinct sizzle noise—an ode to the dish’s name. The soup is filled with tender shrimp and chicken and lots of vegetables. The broth is perfectly clear, and was a delicious way to begin the meal. We enjoy all of their soups including their famous Hot and Sour and Wonton. The pot stickers are also served tableside, with a custom blend of rice wine vinegar, chili oil and soy sauce for dipping. They boasted a beautiful golden brown exterior, and were filled with a large portion of ground pork and vegetables. Next, we enjoyed their signature Orange Peel Chicken. Large chunks of perfectly fried chicken are covered in a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy sauce. Delicious and fragrant orange is apparent throughout the dish, which is served over a bed of tangy, pickled vegetables. We always order this dish whether we’re eating in or taking-out—it’s a must-have. We also enjoy their beef dishes including the Beef with String Beans, composed of tender beef in a savory sauce with crisp green beans. Finally, we were served the Mu Shu Pork, which is elegantly prepared tableside. Our server used large serving spoons to construct and serve our individual pancakes—a lovely touch. The pork was tender and the cabbage and mushroom mixture was perfectly shredded to create the perfect consistency for the pancake. The classic tangy, rich hoisin sauce and scallion was liberally wrapped in our pancakes making every bite as good as the last. The portions are large and we definitely took home our leftovers. I highly recommend this restaurant to both the gourmet and tourist alike. It’s consistently delicious and you won’t be disappointed. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hunan Home’s is a Chinese restaurant tucked against the edge of Chinatown near Jackson Square. Getting there is typical for San Francisco with a number of parking garages or metered street parking nearby. With so many Chinese restaurants to choose from in the neighborhood, Hunan Home’s unfortunately does not stand out for its food or service. Almost across the board, all the dishes were over salted and lacked any depth of flavor. The lone standout was the hot & sour soup — though it alone would not bring me back to this below average restaurant. There are two primary seating areas — one on street level and one in a basement level. The basement level seating gives the feeling of a hotel banquet room which could be located in any city…so ambiance is definitely lacking. The food is inexpensive with many lunch options below $10. So if you’re looking for cheap, below average Chinese food Hunan Home’s is your place.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Hunan Home’s Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 2, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wasn’t blown away by Hunan Home’s restaurant. I was really looking forward to eating in SF’s Chinatown since I so rarely get out there to eat. The ambience was very “homey” in the smaller front dining room, with jade-green, indoor ceramic pagoda shingles, and was full of couples and some families eating what looked like great dishes. I found the service to be slightly on the impatient and indifferent side, and the food to be good, and solid, but not mind-blowing. However…it was cheap. At $50 for 4 people, I guess there isn’t much room to complain in that regard, but I found the overall experience a bit disappointing. The menu was huge, and we ordered some old stand-by’s, like the mu-shu and fried rice, and went with the waiter’s “recommendation” of the sizzling sliced fish and “Two Kinds of Mushrooms.” Again, the food was good, but not the Chinatown SF meal I’d hoped for. If I were an SF local I might come back, because it was decent and cheap, but I wouldn’t make a night of it coming from the East Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Radius Restaurant and Café: Reviews [now Carafe]",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Radius Restaurant and Café: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8913\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Thursday, February 28, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You will find Radius in an up-and-coming section of San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood. Radius is a neighborhood restaurant which has a local and sustainable approach to using the freshest ingredients available. The concept of the restaurant is one where they source all of their product from a 100 mile radius of San Francisco. All meats and vegetables are either wild or obtained from local sustainable practice farms. Getting to Radius is fairly easy as there is plenty of neighborhood parking available — either free-metered spots on Folsom or neighborhood parking on the side streets. Radius has a café which is open for breakfast & lunch, but their pride & joy is truly Radius Restaurant which is only open for dinner. The dinner selections vary by the time of year as their focus is on high quality seasonal ingredients which are locally sourced. The result is a winning combination of outstanding food paired with exceptional wine and excellent service to boot. The dinner menu is filled with options from appetizers to desserts — for vegetarians and carnivores alike. If you’re a meat-eater, get the fried chicken — it’s to die for. The décor is modern, clean and simple. Radius let’s its food do the talking. Some entrée selections are above average in price, so don’t bring a cheap date here. The service is very accommodating and knowledgeable. They do make you feel at home. Overall, this is a great date restaurant or one to bring a group of friends. Come hungry and leave satisfied from Radius.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" title=\"Emily Butler\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Radius Restaurant is a lovely neighborhood spot located in the SOMA district of San Francisco. My boyfriend and I dined during the week, securing an early 5:30 P.M. reservation. We took advantage of their pre-fixe menu, which featured three courses for $38, which offered a small savings vs. ordering a la carte. We started with the Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with sunflower, tarragon and lemon. The soup was lovely, perfectly pureed and had a very clean, fresh flavor. The sunflower sprout garnish was delicious and reminded me of watercress, although with more of a crisp texture. In addition to the pre-fixe we ordered a few extra items, including the Seasonal Flatbread with Soubise, Oyster Mushrooms, Dry Jack, Chili Flake and Sherry Vinegar. The soubise was thick and sweet and paired well with the tangy sherry vinegar. The jack cheese provided a nice savory backbone to the flatbread along with the meaty mushrooms. The flat bread itself was thin and crispy—a perfect dish for sharing. I ordered the Petaluma Farms Fried Chicken, Fried Breast & Leg, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Kabocha Squash and Ham Hock for my entrée. The Brussels sprouts were perfectly cooked and the sweet squash complimented it nicely. The diced ham hock was also a nice addition—and this was definitely my favorite bite of the night. The chicken was very moist, however the exterior crust was too thick, similar more to a chicken tender vs. fried chicken. My partner ordered the Long & Baily Farms Roasted Pork Chop, Butterbeans, Wilted Dandelion Greens, Oyster Mushrooms and Bacon White Chocolate Gastrique. There were too many opposing flavors in the bacon white chocolate gastrique. Butter beans have a delicious natural flavor, but were masked by the sauce. However, the pork chop was well cooked and very moist. We enjoyed two side dishes, the Roasted Broccolini, Crushed Red Pepper and Garlic Chips and Brown Butter Roasted Potatoes. The broccolini was cooked perfectly, nice bright green color and crunch, topped with toasted garlic chips. The potatoes were surprisingly sweet, lacked salt and were overly garnished with tarragon. The desserts were plated beautifully. We enjoyed the Lemon Curd Tart, Italian Meringue, Chocolate, Candied Almonds, and Dark Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel, Whipped White Chocolate Ganache, Coco Nib Streusel. The lemon curd was thick, and wonderfully tart with a tender, buttery pastry crust. The chocolate cake was light and spongy, and the textural contrast of the tiny cocoa nibs along with the rich salted caramel made this dish quite memorable. If you’re in the SOMA area, check out Radius restaurant. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Friday, March 1, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Radius is a great restaurant! Locally-sourced Cali cuisine with a French influence, all of our dishes were presented thoughtfully and beautifully. The courses were well proportioned and well-paced. The sardines were extremely fresh; the escarole was very light and crisp. While my trout was very fresh and the rye on the side was excellent as were the beets, the remoulade was a bit sweet for my taste, but still enjoyable. The lamb however, was utterly fantastic! Tender and juicy, it was sooo soft on my fork. The lemon curd tart was a great finish, had great texture and wasn’t too sweet, and again, was presented extremely well with dots of sweet cream around the plate. We had reservations, so there was no wait. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. The server, who was French, was very knowledgeable about the menu, and all his recommendations were spot on. The atmosphere was very nice and quiet. The restaurant was spotless and very appealing. All the portions were “just right,” and came at the right times. This is by no means a cheap dinner, but if you want a great night out with one or more friends that you will remember for years, this is the place. \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Radius Restaurant and Café: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8913\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Thursday, February 28, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You will find Radius in an up-and-coming section of San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood. Radius is a neighborhood restaurant which has a local and sustainable approach to using the freshest ingredients available. The concept of the restaurant is one where they source all of their product from a 100 mile radius of San Francisco. All meats and vegetables are either wild or obtained from local sustainable practice farms. Getting to Radius is fairly easy as there is plenty of neighborhood parking available — either free-metered spots on Folsom or neighborhood parking on the side streets. Radius has a café which is open for breakfast & lunch, but their pride & joy is truly Radius Restaurant which is only open for dinner. The dinner selections vary by the time of year as their focus is on high quality seasonal ingredients which are locally sourced. The result is a winning combination of outstanding food paired with exceptional wine and excellent service to boot. The dinner menu is filled with options from appetizers to desserts — for vegetarians and carnivores alike. If you’re a meat-eater, get the fried chicken — it’s to die for. The décor is modern, clean and simple. Radius let’s its food do the talking. Some entrée selections are above average in price, so don’t bring a cheap date here. The service is very accommodating and knowledgeable. They do make you feel at home. Overall, this is a great date restaurant or one to bring a group of friends. Come hungry and leave satisfied from Radius.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" title=\"Emily Butler\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Radius Restaurant is a lovely neighborhood spot located in the SOMA district of San Francisco. My boyfriend and I dined during the week, securing an early 5:30 P.M. reservation. We took advantage of their pre-fixe menu, which featured three courses for $38, which offered a small savings vs. ordering a la carte. We started with the Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with sunflower, tarragon and lemon. The soup was lovely, perfectly pureed and had a very clean, fresh flavor. The sunflower sprout garnish was delicious and reminded me of watercress, although with more of a crisp texture. In addition to the pre-fixe we ordered a few extra items, including the Seasonal Flatbread with Soubise, Oyster Mushrooms, Dry Jack, Chili Flake and Sherry Vinegar. The soubise was thick and sweet and paired well with the tangy sherry vinegar. The jack cheese provided a nice savory backbone to the flatbread along with the meaty mushrooms. The flat bread itself was thin and crispy—a perfect dish for sharing. I ordered the Petaluma Farms Fried Chicken, Fried Breast & Leg, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Kabocha Squash and Ham Hock for my entrée. The Brussels sprouts were perfectly cooked and the sweet squash complimented it nicely. The diced ham hock was also a nice addition—and this was definitely my favorite bite of the night. The chicken was very moist, however the exterior crust was too thick, similar more to a chicken tender vs. fried chicken. My partner ordered the Long & Baily Farms Roasted Pork Chop, Butterbeans, Wilted Dandelion Greens, Oyster Mushrooms and Bacon White Chocolate Gastrique. There were too many opposing flavors in the bacon white chocolate gastrique. Butter beans have a delicious natural flavor, but were masked by the sauce. However, the pork chop was well cooked and very moist. We enjoyed two side dishes, the Roasted Broccolini, Crushed Red Pepper and Garlic Chips and Brown Butter Roasted Potatoes. The broccolini was cooked perfectly, nice bright green color and crunch, topped with toasted garlic chips. The potatoes were surprisingly sweet, lacked salt and were overly garnished with tarragon. The desserts were plated beautifully. We enjoyed the Lemon Curd Tart, Italian Meringue, Chocolate, Candied Almonds, and Dark Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel, Whipped White Chocolate Ganache, Coco Nib Streusel. The lemon curd was thick, and wonderfully tart with a tender, buttery pastry crust. The chocolate cake was light and spongy, and the textural contrast of the tiny cocoa nibs along with the rich salted caramel made this dish quite memorable. If you’re in the SOMA area, check out Radius restaurant. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Radius Restaurant and Café:\u003c/strong> Friday, March 1, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Radius is a great restaurant! Locally-sourced Cali cuisine with a French influence, all of our dishes were presented thoughtfully and beautifully. The courses were well proportioned and well-paced. The sardines were extremely fresh; the escarole was very light and crisp. While my trout was very fresh and the rye on the side was excellent as were the beets, the remoulade was a bit sweet for my taste, but still enjoyable. The lamb however, was utterly fantastic! Tender and juicy, it was sooo soft on my fork. The lemon curd tart was a great finish, had great texture and wasn’t too sweet, and again, was presented extremely well with dots of sweet cream around the plate. We had reservations, so there was no wait. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. The server, who was French, was very knowledgeable about the menu, and all his recommendations were spot on. The atmosphere was very nice and quiet. The restaurant was spotless and very appealing. All the portions were “just right,” and came at the right times. This is by no means a cheap dinner, but if you want a great night out with one or more friends that you will remember for years, this is the place. \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Guerilla Café: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8942\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 2, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I love Guerilla Café. Every time I either leave for tour or come home from tour, I make sure I stop by for brunch at their Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto location. All the ingredients are delicious, fresh, seasonal, mostly organic, and locally sourced. All the recipes are very honest, and are house-made right down to the maple syrup, the aioli spread, and the barrel-aged hot sauce. The atmosphere is very lively and unique, with hip-hop, jazz, vintage soul and Latin and Afro-beat all on shuffle. Many of the materials used to create the cafe were re-purposed, from the tile to the 30+ year old stackable Eames shell chairs that surround the tables. The food is very reasonable given the quality, and that’s why it seems to be a local favorite. I personally love the house-made soups, waffles, and Panini. The wait for a table can be a touch long, due to its small size and large popularity, as can the wait for the food, for the same reason, but I’ve never been disappointed. They showcase emerging art and artists on the walls regularly, so there is always something new to look at. After ordering at the counter you are given a number card which has the photo and biography of an unsung revolutionary from somewhere around the world. This is consistent in keeping with the name and ethos of “Guerilla” Café and so reminds me of what Berkeley and the East Bay is all about, and what makes it unique.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr noshade size=\"1\">\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Guerilla Café is a local neighborhood café in North Berkeley that clearly caters to the locals. Given the amount of retail in the surrounding neighborhood, parking is not the easiest, even with metered parking on Shattuck and neighborhood parking on the side streets. GC has very limited seating though it does boast a few outdoor tables, albeit shoved tightly together. The décor is certainly nothing to write home about. The bar seating area overlooks the open kitchen giving it the feel of an old diner. With menu items limited to breakfast & lunch, the selections are very limited mostly consisting of various egg and salad options. One thing GC can brag about: it serves Blue Bottle Coffee. The food was somewhat average, but not terrible by any stretch of the imagination. And the food did appear fresh. That being said, I wouldn’t cross a bridge or drive through a tunnel to come here. It definitely has a neighborhood feel in an area that is otherwise becoming overrun with chain retail stores. So it’s got that going for it. The staff was polite and pleasant. Food was served in a timely manner. Personally, GC is a little hippy dippy for my taste but it’s perfect for local Berkeley residents who want to chill over a morning cup of Blue Bottle.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr noshade size=\"1\">\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Emily Butler\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 22, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Guerilla Café is a fun, hip, breakfast/lunch spot located in Berkeley. We arrived on a Sunday around 11am and were pleasantly surprised there wasn’t a line—I’m so used to waiting in lines at overcrowded breakfast/brunch spots in the city. The café is very small with a funky urban feel that’s enlivened with great music. The staff was friendly and seemed as though they really enjoyed their work. Orders are taken at the counter and you can pick your seat at the counter or table. I was very surprised how quickly our coffees were brought out, which definitely set a nice tone for the meal. We ordered a variety of dishes, including their Waffle of the Day: Lemon Poppy seed. The waffle had a gorgeous color, crisp exterior and fluffy middle. The maple syrup was hot—a much appreciated touch. A generous dollop of crème fraiche was positioned in the center of the waffle, which I did not particularly enjoy, but appreciated. Next was a Cinnamon Challah Toast, which was absolutely lovely. Light with a fantastic crusty outside and chewy center, this challah boasted a big cinnamon flavor. Served with a delicious, tart berry jam and fresh fruit—this was by far my favorite dish. We also enjoyed the Organic Savory Polenta with grilled mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan & chives. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked with a delicious sear, and the polenta had a delicious, rich flavor. I wish that the egg on top was soft poached or fried so there was some delicious runny yolk to swirl into the polenta, but the egg seemed hard-boiled. We also ordered the Prosciutto Plate with eggs and toast. I loved the concept of this dish as I prefer savory to sweet breakfasts. The bread was perfectly toasted, and the prosciutto was delicious. It was served with a small medley of cucumber, tomatoes and olives on the side, which was very lovely. Again, I was disappointed the eggs were hard poached as I much prefer a soft poach—so I would definitely specify which you desire if you order this dish and the polenta dish. The portions were adequate and I would recommend ordering several different items to share. Guerilla Café is a great little neighborhood spot and if I lived in the area I would definitely frequent this fun, spirited café frequently.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Guerilla Café: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8942\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8907\">full episode video\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Lyrics Born\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/lyrics-born125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Lyrics Born\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Lyrics Born\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Rapper/Author/Producer/Songwriter\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Kensington\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Guerilla Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Saturday, March 2, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I love Guerilla Café. Every time I either leave for tour or come home from tour, I make sure I stop by for brunch at their Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto location. All the ingredients are delicious, fresh, seasonal, mostly organic, and locally sourced. All the recipes are very honest, and are house-made right down to the maple syrup, the aioli spread, and the barrel-aged hot sauce. The atmosphere is very lively and unique, with hip-hop, jazz, vintage soul and Latin and Afro-beat all on shuffle. Many of the materials used to create the cafe were re-purposed, from the tile to the 30+ year old stackable Eames shell chairs that surround the tables. The food is very reasonable given the quality, and that’s why it seems to be a local favorite. I personally love the house-made soups, waffles, and Panini. The wait for a table can be a touch long, due to its small size and large popularity, as can the wait for the food, for the same reason, but I’ve never been disappointed. They showcase emerging art and artists on the walls regularly, so there is always something new to look at. After ordering at the counter you are given a number card which has the photo and biography of an unsung revolutionary from somewhere around the world. This is consistent in keeping with the name and ethos of “Guerilla” Café and so reminds me of what Berkeley and the East Bay is all about, and what makes it unique.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr noshade size=\"1\">\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Scott Nelson\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/scott-nelson125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Nelson\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Scott\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Corporate Tax Consultant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Sausalito\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Radius Restaurant and Café\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Guerilla Café is a local neighborhood café in North Berkeley that clearly caters to the locals. Given the amount of retail in the surrounding neighborhood, parking is not the easiest, even with metered parking on Shattuck and neighborhood parking on the side streets. GC has very limited seating though it does boast a few outdoor tables, albeit shoved tightly together. The décor is certainly nothing to write home about. The bar seating area overlooks the open kitchen giving it the feel of an old diner. With menu items limited to breakfast & lunch, the selections are very limited mostly consisting of various egg and salad options. One thing GC can brag about: it serves Blue Bottle Coffee. The food was somewhat average, but not terrible by any stretch of the imagination. And the food did appear fresh. That being said, I wouldn’t cross a bridge or drive through a tunnel to come here. It definitely has a neighborhood feel in an area that is otherwise becoming overrun with chain retail stores. So it’s got that going for it. The staff was polite and pleasant. Food was served in a timely manner. Personally, GC is a little hippy dippy for my taste but it’s perfect for local Berkeley residents who want to chill over a morning cup of Blue Bottle.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr noshade size=\"1\">\n\u003cp>\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" title=\"Emily Butler\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/emily-butler125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Butler\" align=\"left\" hspace=\"4\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Emily\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Senior Food and Wine Account Executive\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Hunan Home’s Restaurant\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Guerilla Café:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 22, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Guerilla Café is a fun, hip, breakfast/lunch spot located in Berkeley. We arrived on a Sunday around 11am and were pleasantly surprised there wasn’t a line—I’m so used to waiting in lines at overcrowded breakfast/brunch spots in the city. The café is very small with a funky urban feel that’s enlivened with great music. The staff was friendly and seemed as though they really enjoyed their work. Orders are taken at the counter and you can pick your seat at the counter or table. I was very surprised how quickly our coffees were brought out, which definitely set a nice tone for the meal. We ordered a variety of dishes, including their Waffle of the Day: Lemon Poppy seed. The waffle had a gorgeous color, crisp exterior and fluffy middle. The maple syrup was hot—a much appreciated touch. A generous dollop of crème fraiche was positioned in the center of the waffle, which I did not particularly enjoy, but appreciated. Next was a Cinnamon Challah Toast, which was absolutely lovely. Light with a fantastic crusty outside and chewy center, this challah boasted a big cinnamon flavor. Served with a delicious, tart berry jam and fresh fruit—this was by far my favorite dish. We also enjoyed the Organic Savory Polenta with grilled mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan & chives. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked with a delicious sear, and the polenta had a delicious, rich flavor. I wish that the egg on top was soft poached or fried so there was some delicious runny yolk to swirl into the polenta, but the egg seemed hard-boiled. We also ordered the Prosciutto Plate with eggs and toast. I loved the concept of this dish as I prefer savory to sweet breakfasts. The bread was perfectly toasted, and the prosciutto was delicious. It was served with a small medley of cucumber, tomatoes and olives on the side, which was very lovely. Again, I was disappointed the eggs were hard poached as I much prefer a soft poach—so I would definitely specify which you desire if you order this dish and the polenta dish. The portions were adequate and I would recommend ordering several different items to share. Guerilla Café is a great little neighborhood spot and if I lived in the area I would definitely frequent this fun, spirited café frequently.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bocanova: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8771\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 22, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bocanova is hands down one of the best restaurants in the East Bay! It opened in 2009, replacing the Old Spaghetti Factory. It’s an architectural delight with reclaimed wood, decoratively painted accent walls, a few pieces of artwork or photography, wood tables, concrete pillars and glass pendant lighting. The ambiance is fun, energetic, lively yet great for small or big groups and also ideal just for two. The seating options include a spacious outdoor area on the patio with a scenic view of the Jack London Square Waterfront; the inside has an open, contemporary and cozy loft style dining room, combining old and new. There are great seats at the stained glass panel bar as well, with some of the most comfortable blue leather square stools where you can sit and enjoy a drink and/or food for hours with friendly and entertaining bartenders mixing unique cocktails and more! From my experience, the service has always been stellar with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The food at Bocanova is consistently outstanding. The restaurant calls it Pan-American Grill where they have a wide range of cuisines from North, Central and South America.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The menu has a fabulous blend of Latin American ingredients and many items are not ones you would find elsewhere. What I like a lot about the food here is that you can order just a few dishes or order a dish or two from each of the different categories such as the oven, stove, grill, rotisserie, la plancha, etc. and they will all complement one another. The flavors blend really well together and there is a good variety of dishes to choose from. We started with the Dungeness crab deviled eggs with chipotle aioli; probably some of the best deviled eggs around. From the garden section of the menu, we enjoyed the quinoa salad with grapes, pomegranate, persimmon (so delicious) and duck confit; a good portion to share with others at the table. Other favorite dishes include the cauliflower: deep fried with piquillo pepper and toasted garlic romesco sauce. The “Huarache” is served sizzling hot and is so flavorful with pancetta, Fuji apples, caramelized shallots, rosemary oil and Oaxaca cheese. The sweet potato and chipotle gratin is one not to miss, and goes great with any of the other dishes. The sea scallops with a Brazilian curry sauce and a few veggies, served julienne style on top, are delicious — worth every single bite. The crispy lamb shoulder with cannellini beans has just the right seasonings and served tender. The grilled octopus has a nice blend of chili flakes, lemon and cherry tomatoes. The wine list pairs nicely with all the dishes and there’s a great selection to choose from. For dessert, the one that stands out by far is the warm chocolate croissant bread pudding with Mexican chocolate ice cream!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bocanova is a large space that’s warm and inviting: open kitchen, cool bar, high ceilings and big windows, nice energy, lots of locals not too touristy. There is a wide mix of customers from families to seniors. A great outdoor patio with water views for watching sailboats sailing by or sunsets and great people-watching. We went for Sunday brunch. The place was busy, but not packed — looked busier than the other restaurants in the area. There was a farmer’s market going on that Sundays at Jack London Square just steps from the restaurant. Parking was no problem: garage or meters (free on Sundays). We were greeted with a pleasant reception and the service was quick, but not hurried. Our server Laura was very good, lots of staff. The water carafe was brought right away and refills came quickly. It was a nice touch. The excellent Bloody Mary was not too fancy or over the top. The nice and spicy Dungeness Crab and Deviled Eggs were very tasty but they could use more crab. “Huarache:” Pancetta, Fuji Apples, Caramelized Shallots, Rosemary oil, Oaxaca Cheese is more of a breakfast pizza with a little Latin influence. Loaded with Pancetta, the caramelized shallots took the dish to the next level. Wow! I enjoyed the Cuban Pressed Sandwich with Black Forest ham, as well as the pork loin with homemade pickles. I’m very picky when it comes to a good Cuban sandwich; I’ve been to Miami. Perfectly toasted/grilled stuffed with high quality ham, roasted pork loin and homemade pickles. The chipotle aioli was a spicy surprise and I liked it. I like it a lot. Arugula, with a light lemon vinaigrette and more homemade pickles balance out the dish nicely. Beautiful Location, cool atmosphere with high quality ingredients served with imaginative Latin flair. Bocanova hit all the right notes!!! Will return, will recommend!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 15, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nI loved the vibe and location of Bocanova. It’s like you are having dinner in a massive loft: the tall windows, huge columns, high ceilings, facing the Estuary. My BFF and I called to say we were running a tad late, and they were super accommodating with us (we made reservations via opentable.com). From the moment we walked in, all staff members were friendly and eager to assist. We were tempted to dine outside on their massive lanai, but we opted to sit inside by a window, so we could get the best of both worlds. The waiter was knowledgeable, had a sense of humor and checked in on us periodically to make sure we were happy as clams. The food arrived promptly and evenly throughout the meal. When we arrived at 6:15pm, the noise level was just about right. We could converse easily. But by the end of the meal, the restaurant was in full swing so it got a bit louder, which is to be expected in such a lofty airy busy establishment. As for the food, it wasn’t bad. It was definitely enhanced by the fabulous ambiance and service. Don’t get me wrong — the food was delish but this is not the kind of place I would come out to eat by myself for the food. It is the kind of place I would go to in order to socialize/entertain. \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bocanova: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8771\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 22, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bocanova is hands down one of the best restaurants in the East Bay! It opened in 2009, replacing the Old Spaghetti Factory. It’s an architectural delight with reclaimed wood, decoratively painted accent walls, a few pieces of artwork or photography, wood tables, concrete pillars and glass pendant lighting. The ambiance is fun, energetic, lively yet great for small or big groups and also ideal just for two. The seating options include a spacious outdoor area on the patio with a scenic view of the Jack London Square Waterfront; the inside has an open, contemporary and cozy loft style dining room, combining old and new. There are great seats at the stained glass panel bar as well, with some of the most comfortable blue leather square stools where you can sit and enjoy a drink and/or food for hours with friendly and entertaining bartenders mixing unique cocktails and more! From my experience, the service has always been stellar with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The food at Bocanova is consistently outstanding. The restaurant calls it Pan-American Grill where they have a wide range of cuisines from North, Central and South America.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The menu has a fabulous blend of Latin American ingredients and many items are not ones you would find elsewhere. What I like a lot about the food here is that you can order just a few dishes or order a dish or two from each of the different categories such as the oven, stove, grill, rotisserie, la plancha, etc. and they will all complement one another. The flavors blend really well together and there is a good variety of dishes to choose from. We started with the Dungeness crab deviled eggs with chipotle aioli; probably some of the best deviled eggs around. From the garden section of the menu, we enjoyed the quinoa salad with grapes, pomegranate, persimmon (so delicious) and duck confit; a good portion to share with others at the table. Other favorite dishes include the cauliflower: deep fried with piquillo pepper and toasted garlic romesco sauce. The “Huarache” is served sizzling hot and is so flavorful with pancetta, Fuji apples, caramelized shallots, rosemary oil and Oaxaca cheese. The sweet potato and chipotle gratin is one not to miss, and goes great with any of the other dishes. The sea scallops with a Brazilian curry sauce and a few veggies, served julienne style on top, are delicious — worth every single bite. The crispy lamb shoulder with cannellini beans has just the right seasonings and served tender. The grilled octopus has a nice blend of chili flakes, lemon and cherry tomatoes. The wine list pairs nicely with all the dishes and there’s a great selection to choose from. For dessert, the one that stands out by far is the warm chocolate croissant bread pudding with Mexican chocolate ice cream!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 10, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bocanova is a large space that’s warm and inviting: open kitchen, cool bar, high ceilings and big windows, nice energy, lots of locals not too touristy. There is a wide mix of customers from families to seniors. A great outdoor patio with water views for watching sailboats sailing by or sunsets and great people-watching. We went for Sunday brunch. The place was busy, but not packed — looked busier than the other restaurants in the area. There was a farmer’s market going on that Sundays at Jack London Square just steps from the restaurant. Parking was no problem: garage or meters (free on Sundays). We were greeted with a pleasant reception and the service was quick, but not hurried. Our server Laura was very good, lots of staff. The water carafe was brought right away and refills came quickly. It was a nice touch. The excellent Bloody Mary was not too fancy or over the top. The nice and spicy Dungeness Crab and Deviled Eggs were very tasty but they could use more crab. “Huarache:” Pancetta, Fuji Apples, Caramelized Shallots, Rosemary oil, Oaxaca Cheese is more of a breakfast pizza with a little Latin influence. Loaded with Pancetta, the caramelized shallots took the dish to the next level. Wow! I enjoyed the Cuban Pressed Sandwich with Black Forest ham, as well as the pork loin with homemade pickles. I’m very picky when it comes to a good Cuban sandwich; I’ve been to Miami. Perfectly toasted/grilled stuffed with high quality ham, roasted pork loin and homemade pickles. The chipotle aioli was a spicy surprise and I liked it. I like it a lot. Arugula, with a light lemon vinaigrette and more homemade pickles balance out the dish nicely. Beautiful Location, cool atmosphere with high quality ingredients served with imaginative Latin flair. Bocanova hit all the right notes!!! Will return, will recommend!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Bocanova:\u003c/strong> Friday, February 15, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nI loved the vibe and location of Bocanova. It’s like you are having dinner in a massive loft: the tall windows, huge columns, high ceilings, facing the Estuary. My BFF and I called to say we were running a tad late, and they were super accommodating with us (we made reservations via opentable.com). From the moment we walked in, all staff members were friendly and eager to assist. We were tempted to dine outside on their massive lanai, but we opted to sit inside by a window, so we could get the best of both worlds. The waiter was knowledgeable, had a sense of humor and checked in on us periodically to make sure we were happy as clams. The food arrived promptly and evenly throughout the meal. When we arrived at 6:15pm, the noise level was just about right. We could converse easily. But by the end of the meal, the restaurant was in full swing so it got a bit louder, which is to be expected in such a lofty airy busy establishment. As for the food, it wasn’t bad. It was definitely enhanced by the fabulous ambiance and service. Don’t get me wrong — the food was delish but this is not the kind of place I would come out to eat by myself for the food. It is the kind of place I would go to in order to socialize/entertain. \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Willi’s Wine Bar: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8783\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Monday, February 25, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ve always enjoyed an excellent experience at Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa whether it’s meeting friends, a client dinner or just stopping on the way home for the world’s best Mac-n-Cheese at the bar. It’s comfort food gone cool with great ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere. It might be called “small plates,” but they put a lot of good on those small plates and you wind up sharing and getting bites of all sorts of goodness. I had ordered the Moroccan Style Lamb Chop, my friend the Filet Mignon Sliders. The plates arrived our eyes met and within seconds we had a made a trade: a chop for slider. It was a win-win and rest is history. When dining at Willi’s, your server will ask if you have ever eaten there before. This is important, for your life may change, and change for the better. There is a reason Mark & Terri Stark and their cluster of fine restaurants are up for a James Beard Award.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I made the mistake of making reservations at 7pm, on a weekday, so coming from Berkeley I left around 5:30pm so I was stuck in traffic for quite a bit! Luckily, Parking was a breeze; I got the spot right in front of the entryway. I made reservations via open table and they servers were expecting me and my guest. Before sitting down, I took a stroll through the front garden that was still lit with Xmas lights. It was quite pretty at night! Instagram-worthy! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once my friend arrived, we sat outside on the heated patio so we could enjoy the night air (the inside of the restaurant felt a little cramped, low ceiling…the patio definitely has better seating). The restaurant was half-filled so it was not too loud. In fact, it was perfect for conversing. My friend who is a native there said it can get busier but it was a Tuesday night. There was a business dinner meeting left of us, a couple on a date to our right, and a family dinner behind us, and some gals at the bar. So the atmosphere was mixed that night. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our server was really sweet, knew all the dishes and was not short on adjectives to describe the food!\u003cbr>\nThe food arrived in a timely manner. The portions weren’t as small as tapas plates but they weren’t exactly huge entrees either. I’m glad my friend suggested we order 5-6 plates total, or else it might not be enough. The presentation for all the dishes was great and there was a large variety of food to pick from. Menu is divided into Surf turf and earth. Cute!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the exception of one dish (brick chicken) all the entrees were delish. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 16, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa was an overall great dining experience. I love trying small plates and experiencing creative ways to blend different ingredients together. The ambiance was fun, lively, and had a good crowd of people. On a weekend night, it generated a full house, but was still enjoyable to have private conversations with friends at our table. The service was great. We were seated right on time; in fact, even several minutes earlier than our actual reservation. Our waitstaff was incredibly friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating with a few specific requests, especially when it came to adding an extra serving when a dish came prepared for just two. Portion sizes were moderate: great for sharing. The menu had lots to choose from with a good variety of seafood, meat and veggies. We had curried crab tacos, arugula and endive salad, roasted Brussels sprouts with sausage, truffled French fries (amazing), the mac-n-cheese with melted leeks and cabbage and the pork belly pot stickers. My favorite dishes by far were the Mu Shu Bacon crepes with Hoisin BBQ sauce and the Moroccan style lamb chops with couscous! Both were delicious, well prepared and worth every single bite. The desserts were also quite enjoyable. For dessert, we ordered the warm Scharffen Berger flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter caramel and delicious sea salt peanuts, the Meyer lemon pudding cake with huckleberries and the chocolate chunk and banana croissant bread pudding. I think my favorite was the bread pudding. The combination of the chocolate chunks, bananas and croissant was great together!\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Willi’s Wine Bar: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8783\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Monday, February 25, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ve always enjoyed an excellent experience at Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa whether it’s meeting friends, a client dinner or just stopping on the way home for the world’s best Mac-n-Cheese at the bar. It’s comfort food gone cool with great ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere. It might be called “small plates,” but they put a lot of good on those small plates and you wind up sharing and getting bites of all sorts of goodness. I had ordered the Moroccan Style Lamb Chop, my friend the Filet Mignon Sliders. The plates arrived our eyes met and within seconds we had a made a trade: a chop for slider. It was a win-win and rest is history. When dining at Willi’s, your server will ask if you have ever eaten there before. This is important, for your life may change, and change for the better. There is a reason Mark & Terri Stark and their cluster of fine restaurants are up for a James Beard Award.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I made the mistake of making reservations at 7pm, on a weekday, so coming from Berkeley I left around 5:30pm so I was stuck in traffic for quite a bit! Luckily, Parking was a breeze; I got the spot right in front of the entryway. I made reservations via open table and they servers were expecting me and my guest. Before sitting down, I took a stroll through the front garden that was still lit with Xmas lights. It was quite pretty at night! Instagram-worthy! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once my friend arrived, we sat outside on the heated patio so we could enjoy the night air (the inside of the restaurant felt a little cramped, low ceiling…the patio definitely has better seating). The restaurant was half-filled so it was not too loud. In fact, it was perfect for conversing. My friend who is a native there said it can get busier but it was a Tuesday night. There was a business dinner meeting left of us, a couple on a date to our right, and a family dinner behind us, and some gals at the bar. So the atmosphere was mixed that night. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our server was really sweet, knew all the dishes and was not short on adjectives to describe the food!\u003cbr>\nThe food arrived in a timely manner. The portions weren’t as small as tapas plates but they weren’t exactly huge entrees either. I’m glad my friend suggested we order 5-6 plates total, or else it might not be enough. The presentation for all the dishes was great and there was a large variety of food to pick from. Menu is divided into Surf turf and earth. Cute!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the exception of one dish (brick chicken) all the entrees were delish. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Willi’s Wine Bar:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 16, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa was an overall great dining experience. I love trying small plates and experiencing creative ways to blend different ingredients together. The ambiance was fun, lively, and had a good crowd of people. On a weekend night, it generated a full house, but was still enjoyable to have private conversations with friends at our table. The service was great. We were seated right on time; in fact, even several minutes earlier than our actual reservation. Our waitstaff was incredibly friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating with a few specific requests, especially when it came to adding an extra serving when a dish came prepared for just two. Portion sizes were moderate: great for sharing. The menu had lots to choose from with a good variety of seafood, meat and veggies. We had curried crab tacos, arugula and endive salad, roasted Brussels sprouts with sausage, truffled French fries (amazing), the mac-n-cheese with melted leeks and cabbage and the pork belly pot stickers. My favorite dishes by far were the Mu Shu Bacon crepes with Hoisin BBQ sauce and the Moroccan style lamb chops with couscous! Both were delicious, well prepared and worth every single bite. The desserts were also quite enjoyable. For dessert, we ordered the warm Scharffen Berger flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter caramel and delicious sea salt peanuts, the Meyer lemon pudding cake with huckleberries and the chocolate chunk and banana croissant bread pudding. I think my favorite was the bread pudding. The combination of the chocolate chunks, bananas and croissant was great together!\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8803\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 20, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Usually the better the view, the worse the food, right? But this is definitely not the case at The Rotunda! You get a world class view of Union Square, under a sundrenched stain glass dome and impeccable service and wonderful food. As an added bonus, it is located in Neiman Marcus, so you’ll have an excuse to pick up some fabulous outfit after lunch! Who can complain!? \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The setting is just glorious; the circular layout is such that almost every seat has some view. They also have private rooms and a bar too — perfect to bring clients, business associates or shopping break! Anyone you bring here will be impressed, not just from seeing all the couture wear on the way up to the restaurant, but the atmosphere is classic SF. It’s effortlessly elegant. The staffs from the front desk to the servers are all polite and well versed on the menu and the ingredients. The customer service is top notch (it’s Neiman’s, so I would expect nothing less!) \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the food, there is great variety, so there is something for everyone! Whether you bring your cousin from the Midwest who only eats burgers or foreign clients who want food with international flair, you can’t go wrong. Not only do they serve lunch, but they also do tea time! The only drawback of this place is that I wish they served dinner too! \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 23, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nThe minute you step into the Rotunda, the experience feels special and truly unique. There are two entrances to the restaurant, either using the escalators through the main Neiman Marcus store, or directly from the street level using an elevator. Immediately, you notice the open, airy space with the most magnificent stained glass dome above. This architectural centerpiece (with more than 2000 pieces of stained glass) is stunning, once a part of the City of Paris department store. The dining room is elegant and comfortable, offering seating at a booth or at a table in front of large open windows overlooking Union Square. The service was outstanding! Our server was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable about both the menu and the history of the restaurant/store, and really made our dining experience the best it could be and lots of fun. The noise level was ideal. We ordered a few salads, sandwiches, the afternoon tea and desserts. The presentation was nicely done, very well prepared. The crab and shrimp Louie salad was fresh, with a good serving of crab and shrimp, along with egg, avocado, tomato and cucumber. Tasty, but it was simple and slightly bland. The other salad we tried was the Asian All Natural Chicken. It had a Chinese mustard-soy vinaigrette, adding good flavor to this dish. The lobster club sandwich was good, but what you might expect with a club sandwich. It was served on a toasted brioche, but not quite as flavorful as I was expecting. The grilled barbeque Portobello sandwich had probably the most unique taste amongst the items we ordered with a barbeque sauce: slightly tangy and spicy with delicious horseradish pickles and crispy sweet potato fires. My favorites were the warm and freshly baked popovers (fantastic, served warm out of the oven and perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) with strawberry butter (surprisingly good considering I only like a little bit of butter and I’m not typically a fan of fruit mixed in) and the desserts! The caramel butterscotch Budino (apparently the chef’s own original creation) was not too sweet, but just the perfect blend of ingredients with sea salt and crème fraiche whipped cream.\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We lucked out with a great parking space on Geary right next to Rotunda side entrance with direct elevator and it was free parking on Sunday. I used Open Table for reservation and added “Handicap mother uses walker” in comments, so having covenant parking was a blessing. The restaurant is such a beautiful space it’s very ornate with 4+ floors of windows that are topped by the Rotunda famous stained glass ceiling with lots of window tables, booths and private rooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant was busy this Sunday with lots of big groups. We gave name to manager and were told that the table was ready. I asked if it was handicap accessible and I was told the table was only three steps down to the next level she would have a server available to assist us. Parents needed to use the restroom before going to the table; I was led to the table. Nice spot, great for people watching. While waiting for parents to return it was hard not notice drab carpet that has lots of stains and the upholstery is torn and faded, it looks like The Rotunda is due for a make-over. I assisted Mother with walker down steps to table, no server or manager to help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The water quickly arrived but we waited 20 minutes for the server. The server asked if we had seen the daily featured and that everything was available on the menu except the grilled shrimp. The server then started to leave the table, when I ask if I could order a drink, I requested a Bloody Mary $11.00 and was told “I’ll put you order in.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A small demi-cup arrived with chicken consommé and a small crostini, excellent flavors. When picking up empty cups the table attendant asked if we would like more, nice touch. Brioche and flavored butter arrived, very nice. When the server the returned to take the lunch order he offered no menu guidance or suggestions and had forgot to bring the Bloody Mary. We ordered Apps. Fried Lobster egg roll w/lettuce wraps $18.00, two egg rolls sliced in half with butter lettuce, mint and Thai dipping sauce. Nice presentation, OK flavors, a little heavy. Crab & roasted red pepper soup $9.00 again nice presentation with good flavors a little oily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the Bloody Mary does arrive it has a strong black pepper flavor with way to much Worcestershire Sauce (almost brown in color) and the celery salt crusted rim didn’t help. I tasted it twice to make sure, it was not good. I asked the server for not as spicy replacement and was told “that’s the way our mix is, but I’ll see what I can do.” I’ll put your order in”. We ordered entrees; Crab Louie $26, big with a huge mound of fresh crab, lots of goodies, cucumber, hard boiled eggs, mixed greens. Louis dressing a little thin requested extra dressing on side. Wild Mushroom Ravioli w/Shitake broth, edamame and snow peas was wonderful, best dish with big fresh Ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms and a beautiful broth. The server noticed he had forgotten to bring a soup spoon “I’ll bring you a spoon” The special grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich w/potato puffs $18.00, grilled a perfect medium rare, which was how I wanted it even though I wasn’t asked what temp I preferred. Tasty mix of beef and peppers, onions and mushrooms with great bread, potato puffs a little weird, but OK. The soup spoon and replacement Blood Mary finally arrive but by this time our entrees are more than half eaten. This time Bloody Mary was better, drinkable. Enjoyed dessert we shared a Vanilla bean, macadamia nut bread pudding w/hard sauce$ 8.00 nice warm bread pudding with a velvety sauce and nutty crunch was loved by all. Coffee was good but nothing special.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, we were not pleased by our experience at The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus SF. The food was very nice but at those inflated prices you should expect excellent food and great service. Also we were not planning on spending over two and a half hours for lunch. On departing I walked by a table with a guest in a wheelchair facing the wall, so while our table was more difficult and challenging to get to and from it did have a much better view. No view for you. So while it looked like many people were having a nice time at this restaurant, we did not and will not return.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8803\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8743\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/herman-chan125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Herman Chan\" title=\"Herman Chan\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Herman\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Real Estate Broker\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Berkeley\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 20, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Usually the better the view, the worse the food, right? But this is definitely not the case at The Rotunda! You get a world class view of Union Square, under a sundrenched stain glass dome and impeccable service and wonderful food. As an added bonus, it is located in Neiman Marcus, so you’ll have an excuse to pick up some fabulous outfit after lunch! Who can complain!? \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The setting is just glorious; the circular layout is such that almost every seat has some view. They also have private rooms and a bar too — perfect to bring clients, business associates or shopping break! Anyone you bring here will be impressed, not just from seeing all the couture wear on the way up to the restaurant, but the atmosphere is classic SF. It’s effortlessly elegant. The staffs from the front desk to the servers are all polite and well versed on the menu and the ingredients. The customer service is top notch (it’s Neiman’s, so I would expect nothing less!) \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the food, there is great variety, so there is something for everyone! Whether you bring your cousin from the Midwest who only eats burgers or foreign clients who want food with international flair, you can’t go wrong. Not only do they serve lunch, but they also do tea time! The only drawback of this place is that I wish they served dinner too! \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/allison-tom125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Allison Tom\" title=\"Allison Tom\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Allison\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Television Producer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Emeryville\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Bocanova\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 23, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nThe minute you step into the Rotunda, the experience feels special and truly unique. There are two entrances to the restaurant, either using the escalators through the main Neiman Marcus store, or directly from the street level using an elevator. Immediately, you notice the open, airy space with the most magnificent stained glass dome above. This architectural centerpiece (with more than 2000 pieces of stained glass) is stunning, once a part of the City of Paris department store. The dining room is elegant and comfortable, offering seating at a booth or at a table in front of large open windows overlooking Union Square. The service was outstanding! Our server was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable about both the menu and the history of the restaurant/store, and really made our dining experience the best it could be and lots of fun. The noise level was ideal. We ordered a few salads, sandwiches, the afternoon tea and desserts. The presentation was nicely done, very well prepared. The crab and shrimp Louie salad was fresh, with a good serving of crab and shrimp, along with egg, avocado, tomato and cucumber. Tasty, but it was simple and slightly bland. The other salad we tried was the Asian All Natural Chicken. It had a Chinese mustard-soy vinaigrette, adding good flavor to this dish. The lobster club sandwich was good, but what you might expect with a club sandwich. It was served on a toasted brioche, but not quite as flavorful as I was expecting. The grilled barbeque Portobello sandwich had probably the most unique taste amongst the items we ordered with a barbeque sauce: slightly tangy and spicy with delicious horseradish pickles and crispy sweet potato fires. My favorites were the warm and freshly baked popovers (fantastic, served warm out of the oven and perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) with strawberry butter (surprisingly good considering I only like a little bit of butter and I’m not typically a fan of fruit mixed in) and the desserts! The caramel butterscotch Budino (apparently the chef’s own original creation) was not too sweet, but just the perfect blend of ingredients with sea salt and crème fraiche whipped cream.\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/05/eric-markson125x125a.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Markson\" title=\"Eric Markson\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Eric\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Hotel Sales Manager\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> Santa Rosa\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Willi’s Wine Bar\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We lucked out with a great parking space on Geary right next to Rotunda side entrance with direct elevator and it was free parking on Sunday. I used Open Table for reservation and added “Handicap mother uses walker” in comments, so having covenant parking was a blessing. The restaurant is such a beautiful space it’s very ornate with 4+ floors of windows that are topped by the Rotunda famous stained glass ceiling with lots of window tables, booths and private rooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant was busy this Sunday with lots of big groups. We gave name to manager and were told that the table was ready. I asked if it was handicap accessible and I was told the table was only three steps down to the next level she would have a server available to assist us. Parents needed to use the restroom before going to the table; I was led to the table. Nice spot, great for people watching. While waiting for parents to return it was hard not notice drab carpet that has lots of stains and the upholstery is torn and faded, it looks like The Rotunda is due for a make-over. I assisted Mother with walker down steps to table, no server or manager to help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The water quickly arrived but we waited 20 minutes for the server. The server asked if we had seen the daily featured and that everything was available on the menu except the grilled shrimp. The server then started to leave the table, when I ask if I could order a drink, I requested a Bloody Mary $11.00 and was told “I’ll put you order in.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A small demi-cup arrived with chicken consommé and a small crostini, excellent flavors. When picking up empty cups the table attendant asked if we would like more, nice touch. Brioche and flavored butter arrived, very nice. When the server the returned to take the lunch order he offered no menu guidance or suggestions and had forgot to bring the Bloody Mary. We ordered Apps. Fried Lobster egg roll w/lettuce wraps $18.00, two egg rolls sliced in half with butter lettuce, mint and Thai dipping sauce. Nice presentation, OK flavors, a little heavy. Crab & roasted red pepper soup $9.00 again nice presentation with good flavors a little oily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the Bloody Mary does arrive it has a strong black pepper flavor with way to much Worcestershire Sauce (almost brown in color) and the celery salt crusted rim didn’t help. I tasted it twice to make sure, it was not good. I asked the server for not as spicy replacement and was told “that’s the way our mix is, but I’ll see what I can do.” I’ll put your order in”. We ordered entrees; Crab Louie $26, big with a huge mound of fresh crab, lots of goodies, cucumber, hard boiled eggs, mixed greens. Louis dressing a little thin requested extra dressing on side. Wild Mushroom Ravioli w/Shitake broth, edamame and snow peas was wonderful, best dish with big fresh Ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms and a beautiful broth. The server noticed he had forgotten to bring a soup spoon “I’ll bring you a spoon” The special grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich w/potato puffs $18.00, grilled a perfect medium rare, which was how I wanted it even though I wasn’t asked what temp I preferred. Tasty mix of beef and peppers, onions and mushrooms with great bread, potato puffs a little weird, but OK. The soup spoon and replacement Blood Mary finally arrive but by this time our entrees are more than half eaten. This time Bloody Mary was better, drinkable. Enjoyed dessert we shared a Vanilla bean, macadamia nut bread pudding w/hard sauce$ 8.00 nice warm bread pudding with a velvety sauce and nutty crunch was loved by all. Coffee was good but nothing special.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, we were not pleased by our experience at The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus SF. The food was very nice but at those inflated prices you should expect excellent food and great service. Also we were not planning on spending over two and a half hours for lunch. On departing I walked by a table with a guest in a wheelchair facing the wall, so while our table was more difficult and challenging to get to and from it did have a much better view. No view for you. So while it looked like many people were having a nice time at this restaurant, we did not and will not return.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pompei’s Grotto: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8627\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First of all, I have a soft spot in my heart for this restaurant as my mom and dad used to date here back in the day. I would go as far as to say that this was my parents’ favorite restaurant in the city, next to House of Prime Rib. Parking in the neighborhood is readily available (depending on the time of year, of course). We showed up at about 7:00 with no reservations and were seated right away. It seemed like there were some locals hanging out at the bar, which isn’t usual in that neighborhood. I noticed they had a nice cocktail menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We waited for up to 10 minutes for our waitress, Dee to come over to the table. Once she got there she apologized and was very sweet. I really like the atmosphere; it is nostalgic in an old San Fran fisherman’s wharf way, casual, with red and white checker tablecloths with candles on the table, low lighting, and wood paneled walls. It is intimate with low music so you can have a quiet conversation. It is like stepping back in time. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have to say the value used to be better. You still get a nice size portion. Not too big and not too small, but the prices used to be much better. Of course it didn’t help that we ordered the two most expensive things on the menu, but the fish prices range from $15-$22 and the fisherman’s stew and cioppino are both a nickel short of 30 bucks. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The clam chowder had a nice tasting broth but lacked a lot of clams — not one in every bite, but still it was quite a good soup. The salad came already tossed with the dressing, which isn’t usual for a lot of the casual San Fran old school restaurants. The sea bass was simply grilled because I asked for it that way with a side of perfectly done zucchini and some fingerling potatoes. The fish was done well bordering on overcooked. That’s unusual from past experiences. The fisherman’s stew was really nice. Served super hot and the garlicky tomato broth was really tasty with a ton of seafood in it, which included: jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels (although I had not a one), calamari and white fish. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All in all, I feel it’s not quite as good as it used to be but sometimes you are just looking for a clean, fresh meal that is good for you, well-prepared, and doesn’t break the calorie bubble for the day with hidden restaurant calories. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wouldn’t ordinarily head towards Fisherman’s Wharf, the most touristy area in San Francisco, for anything… let alone a meal. My first impression of Pompei’s Grotto was that the decor was very “tchotchke” with the plastic flowers that adored the gingham table clothes and the Spanish music playing in the background. The menu was very typical this area; pasta, sandwiches, salads, seafood. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sole in the Sole Sandwich seemed fresh… thankfully the coating on the fish was minimal, however, very bland. The fries were not what I know to be ‘shoe string’ rather very typical of frozen french fries. The hot crab sandwich… thankfully the crab was fresh tasting but the ‘Mornay sauce’ which was a typical alfredo sauce, was a great disservice to the crab drowning out its fresh flavor. The Italian coleslaw was over dressed with a mayonnaise dressing that had hues of typical Italian seasoning. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The clam chowder was typical tasting for wharf chowder, I prefer my clam chowder more on the thick creamy side which could be easily accomplished by pureeing some of the potato within the chowder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can’t go wrong with Gelato, can you? The Gelato Truffles were fun, I liked the zabaglione the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Arnold Palmer, water logged and bland. It would have been nice to taste a fresh brewed tea and fresh lemonade. The fresh bread at the table, which was from the bakery down the street, was one of the best things I ate at Pompei’s Grotto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I would never go back to Pompei’s Grotto or even suggest anyone eat there. You want fresh pasta? Head to Flower & Water in the Mission. There are WAY too many amazing restaurants in San Francisco to ever need to go near Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants are for people who don’t know the city and don’t care to get to know the city. Fisherman’s Wharf is for tourists. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Thursday, February 21, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I really wanted to love this place because the family and staff were so warm and friendly and they seated us immediately. However, the food was underwhelming, and the total bill was a bit pricey for the quality. I started with crab cakes (and I love crab cakes) and was very disappointed in what was served. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the positive side, there was a lot of lump crab meat, but on the negative side the consistency was wet and mushy — sort of like there was melted mayonnaise inside; plus there was not much flavor. Next, I had the wedge salad and did enjoy it; it was very tasty with fresh tomatoes and crispy pieces of bacon. For my main entrée I had the Fisherman’s stew and was disappointed again. Some of the seafood was overcooked, some undercooked and the sauce had no flavor. I was waiting for a burst of fresh tomato and garlic and never got it. The Sauvignon Blanc we had was good, very crisp, refreshing and the best value for the price out of everything we ordered. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The staff was very nice and checked on us a few times, but there were a few things that could have been improved. One item ordered seemed to have been forgotten and then, when they did finally bring it out, it was not how we ordered it. They did remedy the situation immediately though and were very apologetic. They only refilled our wine once, which seemed odd because it wasn’t busy in the restaurant. Lastly, for a family-friendly restaurant, I thought they would have paid better attention when putting food down on the table and taking it away so that they would steer clear of the infant at the table. The restaurant itself has a charming, family owned vibe with light music and views of the wharf area. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall, a very nice staff and a good location for tourists, but I didn’t love the food and will most likely not return. \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "\u003cstrong>Brian:\u003c/strong> \"I really like the atmosphere; it is nostalgic in an old San Fran fisherman’s wharf way, casual, with red and white checker tablecloths with candles on the table, low lighting, and wood paneled walls.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Nicole:\u003c/strong> \"The sole in the Sole Sandwich seemed fresh... thankfully the coating on the fish was minimal, however, very bland.\"\u003cbr />\u003cstrong>Jennifer:\u003c/strong> \"However, the food was underwhelming, and the total bill was a bit pricey for the quality.\"",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pompei’s Grotto: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8627\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Tuesday, February 26, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First of all, I have a soft spot in my heart for this restaurant as my mom and dad used to date here back in the day. I would go as far as to say that this was my parents’ favorite restaurant in the city, next to House of Prime Rib. Parking in the neighborhood is readily available (depending on the time of year, of course). We showed up at about 7:00 with no reservations and were seated right away. It seemed like there were some locals hanging out at the bar, which isn’t usual in that neighborhood. I noticed they had a nice cocktail menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We waited for up to 10 minutes for our waitress, Dee to come over to the table. Once she got there she apologized and was very sweet. I really like the atmosphere; it is nostalgic in an old San Fran fisherman’s wharf way, casual, with red and white checker tablecloths with candles on the table, low lighting, and wood paneled walls. It is intimate with low music so you can have a quiet conversation. It is like stepping back in time. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have to say the value used to be better. You still get a nice size portion. Not too big and not too small, but the prices used to be much better. Of course it didn’t help that we ordered the two most expensive things on the menu, but the fish prices range from $15-$22 and the fisherman’s stew and cioppino are both a nickel short of 30 bucks. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The clam chowder had a nice tasting broth but lacked a lot of clams — not one in every bite, but still it was quite a good soup. The salad came already tossed with the dressing, which isn’t usual for a lot of the casual San Fran old school restaurants. The sea bass was simply grilled because I asked for it that way with a side of perfectly done zucchini and some fingerling potatoes. The fish was done well bordering on overcooked. That’s unusual from past experiences. The fisherman’s stew was really nice. Served super hot and the garlicky tomato broth was really tasty with a ton of seafood in it, which included: jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels (although I had not a one), calamari and white fish. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All in all, I feel it’s not quite as good as it used to be but sometimes you are just looking for a clean, fresh meal that is good for you, well-prepared, and doesn’t break the calorie bubble for the day with hidden restaurant calories. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I wouldn’t ordinarily head towards Fisherman’s Wharf, the most touristy area in San Francisco, for anything… let alone a meal. My first impression of Pompei’s Grotto was that the decor was very “tchotchke” with the plastic flowers that adored the gingham table clothes and the Spanish music playing in the background. The menu was very typical this area; pasta, sandwiches, salads, seafood. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sole in the Sole Sandwich seemed fresh… thankfully the coating on the fish was minimal, however, very bland. The fries were not what I know to be ‘shoe string’ rather very typical of frozen french fries. The hot crab sandwich… thankfully the crab was fresh tasting but the ‘Mornay sauce’ which was a typical alfredo sauce, was a great disservice to the crab drowning out its fresh flavor. The Italian coleslaw was over dressed with a mayonnaise dressing that had hues of typical Italian seasoning. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The clam chowder was typical tasting for wharf chowder, I prefer my clam chowder more on the thick creamy side which could be easily accomplished by pureeing some of the potato within the chowder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can’t go wrong with Gelato, can you? The Gelato Truffles were fun, I liked the zabaglione the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Arnold Palmer, water logged and bland. It would have been nice to taste a fresh brewed tea and fresh lemonade. The fresh bread at the table, which was from the bakery down the street, was one of the best things I ate at Pompei’s Grotto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I would never go back to Pompei’s Grotto or even suggest anyone eat there. You want fresh pasta? Head to Flower & Water in the Mission. There are WAY too many amazing restaurants in San Francisco to ever need to go near Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants are for people who don’t know the city and don’t care to get to know the city. Fisherman’s Wharf is for tourists. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Pompei’s Grotto:\u003c/strong> Thursday, February 21, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I really wanted to love this place because the family and staff were so warm and friendly and they seated us immediately. However, the food was underwhelming, and the total bill was a bit pricey for the quality. I started with crab cakes (and I love crab cakes) and was very disappointed in what was served. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the positive side, there was a lot of lump crab meat, but on the negative side the consistency was wet and mushy — sort of like there was melted mayonnaise inside; plus there was not much flavor. Next, I had the wedge salad and did enjoy it; it was very tasty with fresh tomatoes and crispy pieces of bacon. For my main entrée I had the Fisherman’s stew and was disappointed again. Some of the seafood was overcooked, some undercooked and the sauce had no flavor. I was waiting for a burst of fresh tomato and garlic and never got it. The Sauvignon Blanc we had was good, very crisp, refreshing and the best value for the price out of everything we ordered. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The staff was very nice and checked on us a few times, but there were a few things that could have been improved. One item ordered seemed to have been forgotten and then, when they did finally bring it out, it was not how we ordered it. They did remedy the situation immediately though and were very apologetic. They only refilled our wine once, which seemed odd because it wasn’t busy in the restaurant. Lastly, for a family-friendly restaurant, I thought they would have paid better attention when putting food down on the table and taking it away so that they would steer clear of the infant at the table. The restaurant itself has a charming, family owned vibe with light music and views of the wharf area. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8629\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 16, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nI’ve never had soul food from a restaurant. All the soul food I’ve ever tried has been through family and friends’ kitchens. Oh and yes, Texas Smokehouse on Capitol has the best greens ever and their BBQ is pretty damn good. However, I’m already planning WHO else I can bring back there with me! Key is to get a group of friends and order a little bit of everything so you can try it all! I’ve never had fried chicken like this before! I ordered the fried chicken and pork rib combo plate, which came with two pieces of fried chicken and three nice sized pork ribs. My buddy ordered the brisket and BBQ chicken plate and between us we ordered sides of mac n’ cheese, greens, baked beans, corn bread and fried okra and some sweet tea to wash it down with! It was a toss up between grape Kool-Aid and sweet tea. This is THE best fried chicken I’ve ever had. I can’t even describe the way the skin has the consistency of good pork cracklin’! I wouldn’t be surprised if they deep-fried their chicken in straight up pork fat! Everything was very flavorful, fresh tasting; all the different types of meats were tender and tasty. THIS will be my soul food go-to place! 🙂 Thanks Duy! Let your SOUUUUL GLOWWWW!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Friday, March 1, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well I was having heart palpitations, and I can’t determine if it was the fatty food I ate, or if it was the stress I went through trying to get a reservation at Lillie Mae’s House of Heart Attack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I live an hour away and I like to have reservations anyway when I go out. What confusion. The website says to call or email for reservation. I did both. In fact I called four times and had friends call two times. A total of six — no response at all. I emailed twice only to get the answer that they don’t take reservations on Friday or Saturday. I emailed back. “Can we do Thursday at the same time?” No response. I emailed again two days later. Hallelujah, a returned email. It said “you only need a reservation for large parties.” Honestly, I didn’t care if the food was BBQ at the French Laundry. I understood as soon as I walked in the door why reservations were not needed. First of all, there was no hostess and second of all, it was an order at the counter and pick up your own food kind of place. Nowhere on the website does it say or show that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two best things about the meal were the corn bread, which was moist and sweet with whole corn kernels in the batter, and the hush puppies that had a beefy rough grain-fried crust, like an apple fritter. I ordered the combo hot links and brisket. The links were between a hot dog and a chorizo. They were really spicy. The brisket was not in shredded chunks but in little pieces like a portion from the bottom of the pot. I chose two sides of fried okra and collard greens. The okra was pretty bland but it had a nice crunchy texture and the collard greens were spicy with healthy dose of vinegar, which made them pretty sour. We also ordered the BBQ pork ribs and chicken. It came with two sides, which were the fried sweet potatoes, and were dusted with a little sugar. It made a nice combination of sweet and salty. We also ordered baked beans. These had a mild molasses flavor but were pretty bland. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall I really liked the flavor of the BBQ sauce, which was tangy and sweet, but all the dishes are mixed with the same sauce. It became a little sauce overload. On top of that, the ribs were a little dry and one was even so tough it was hard to chew. It was pretty reasonable at $20 per person, and a good place to go before a Sharks game because you can get in and out quickly. Oh and I forgot the décor; it is fun: Hooters meets Country Bear Jamboree with a little Deliverance thrown in. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 17, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lillie Mae’s is a good find if you are looking for good old soul food. I went for the all you can eat Sunday brunch and felt that the food quality, taste and variety were all very good. My favorite dish was the mac & cheese; it was simply comfort food at its best with a crispy top layer and lots of warm melted cheese and soft macaroni inside. My least favorite item I tried was the infamous Kool-Aid mimosa because I found it to be way too sweet and could only take a few sips. There was no wait to sit and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The crowd was on the quieter side and it was nice to see people just enjoying their food and families, even though there was TV and light music in the background. Because it was a 45 minute drive outside of San Francisco for me, I don’t know if I will go back anytime soon. However, I found the buffet to be a great value for the choice and amount of food offered and I would recommend this restaurant to comfort food lovers that live or work nearby. \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8629\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Saturday, February 16, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003cbr>\nI’ve never had soul food from a restaurant. All the soul food I’ve ever tried has been through family and friends’ kitchens. Oh and yes, Texas Smokehouse on Capitol has the best greens ever and their BBQ is pretty damn good. However, I’m already planning WHO else I can bring back there with me! Key is to get a group of friends and order a little bit of everything so you can try it all! I’ve never had fried chicken like this before! I ordered the fried chicken and pork rib combo plate, which came with two pieces of fried chicken and three nice sized pork ribs. My buddy ordered the brisket and BBQ chicken plate and between us we ordered sides of mac n’ cheese, greens, baked beans, corn bread and fried okra and some sweet tea to wash it down with! It was a toss up between grape Kool-Aid and sweet tea. This is THE best fried chicken I’ve ever had. I can’t even describe the way the skin has the consistency of good pork cracklin’! I wouldn’t be surprised if they deep-fried their chicken in straight up pork fat! Everything was very flavorful, fresh tasting; all the different types of meats were tender and tasty. THIS will be my soul food go-to place! 🙂 Thanks Duy! Let your SOUUUUL GLOWWWW!\u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Friday, March 1, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well I was having heart palpitations, and I can’t determine if it was the fatty food I ate, or if it was the stress I went through trying to get a reservation at Lillie Mae’s House of Heart Attack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I live an hour away and I like to have reservations anyway when I go out. What confusion. The website says to call or email for reservation. I did both. In fact I called four times and had friends call two times. A total of six — no response at all. I emailed twice only to get the answer that they don’t take reservations on Friday or Saturday. I emailed back. “Can we do Thursday at the same time?” No response. I emailed again two days later. Hallelujah, a returned email. It said “you only need a reservation for large parties.” Honestly, I didn’t care if the food was BBQ at the French Laundry. I understood as soon as I walked in the door why reservations were not needed. First of all, there was no hostess and second of all, it was an order at the counter and pick up your own food kind of place. Nowhere on the website does it say or show that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two best things about the meal were the corn bread, which was moist and sweet with whole corn kernels in the batter, and the hush puppies that had a beefy rough grain-fried crust, like an apple fritter. I ordered the combo hot links and brisket. The links were between a hot dog and a chorizo. They were really spicy. The brisket was not in shredded chunks but in little pieces like a portion from the bottom of the pot. I chose two sides of fried okra and collard greens. The okra was pretty bland but it had a nice crunchy texture and the collard greens were spicy with healthy dose of vinegar, which made them pretty sour. We also ordered the BBQ pork ribs and chicken. It came with two sides, which were the fried sweet potatoes, and were dusted with a little sugar. It made a nice combination of sweet and salty. We also ordered baked beans. These had a mild molasses flavor but were pretty bland. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall I really liked the flavor of the BBQ sauce, which was tangy and sweet, but all the dishes are mixed with the same sauce. It became a little sauce overload. On top of that, the ribs were a little dry and one was even so tough it was hard to chew. It was pretty reasonable at $20 per person, and a good place to go before a Sharks game because you can get in and out quickly. Oh and I forgot the décor; it is fun: Hooters meets Country Bear Jamboree with a little Deliverance thrown in. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 17, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lillie Mae’s is a good find if you are looking for good old soul food. I went for the all you can eat Sunday brunch and felt that the food quality, taste and variety were all very good. My favorite dish was the mac & cheese; it was simply comfort food at its best with a crispy top layer and lots of warm melted cheese and soft macaroni inside. My least favorite item I tried was the infamous Kool-Aid mimosa because I found it to be way too sweet and could only take a few sips. There was no wait to sit and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The crowd was on the quieter side and it was nice to see people just enjoying their food and families, even though there was TV and light music in the background. Because it was a 45 minute drive outside of San Francisco for me, I don’t know if I will go back anytime soon. However, I found the buffet to be a great value for the choice and amount of food offered and I would recommend this restaurant to comfort food lovers that live or work nearby. \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>SPQR: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8611\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Monday, February 25, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have been to SPQR for dinner over twenty times. Each time has been a wonderful experience and I have felt like I have gone on a culinary adventure. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming with interesting artwork on the walls. There is always a lovely host/hostess to greet you, and the wait staff and sommeliers are top notch. All staff is incredibly knowledgeable about the ingredients on the menu and the wines on the extensive Italian wine list. They make sure you are happy with your food and wine and that your glass is always full!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not always easy to get a table so I would suggest making a reservation. They have about fifteen tables, as well as bar seating and a fantastic chef’s table. The chef’s table is great because you get to see the food being prepared and you can converse with the sous chefs. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cuisine is Italian, however, the menu is eclectic and the presentation has a French flair. They always use seasonal ingredients and have a way of taking something basic and putting a fantastic spin on it. For example, the Caesar salad I had recently was not your everyday Caesar with creamy dressing, sliced anchovies and parmesan shavings. Instead, their version had hand picked fava bean leaves dressed in vinaigrette with whole, fried anchovies and a delicious cheese crisp. Another example is the tiramisu; instead of presenting a piece on a plate, they served it deconstructed in a glass. It was a pretty presentation and fun to eat because I started at the top, tasting the ground espresso and mascarpone and then worked my way down to the ladyfingers. Delicious! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Items from every section of the menu are exciting to try, but my absolute favorite part is the homemade pasta! Everything, from the chocolate spaghetti with black truffle butter to the buckwheat tagliatelle with cider and bacon braised suckling pork, is AMAZING and comparable (if not better) to pasta in Italy! The best pasta dish I’ve ever had there was homemade pasta with lamb ragu. The braised lamb was in a flavorful tomato based sauce and had a rich, smooth texture.\u003cbr>\nThe recent recipients of a Michelin star for 2013 prove time and time again that they offer more then a great meal; they give guests a delightful and delicious experience. This is a special spot to go if you are looking to relax and enjoy five-star service, Italian inspired cuisine and unforgettable Italian wines. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nestled in the Pacific Heights, SPQR is a place I’ve wanted to eat at. It’s small, intimate, romantic and they pipe in great 80’s music all night long! Whoever chose this restaurant has a good knowledge food, a sense of adventure, but also a great pallet for fine food!! We had no trouble finding metered parking on a Sunday for our reservations at 6:00, we even walked in about 10 minutes early and they were able to seat us right away. We were there until about 9:00pm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whenever I see a liver mousse on the menu, I have to try it! Not only do I love liver, but I love the texture of mousse buttered on top of a piece of grilled crusty bread. The portion was perfect for sharing for two, as they served four nice slices of grilled bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suckling pork ‘porchetta’ was very tasty. They used the pork belly and rolled it into the familiar ‘pinwheel’ I’m accustomed to seeing when I see and have eaten porchetta. There was a bit blood sausage on the plate. I don’t have a lot of experience with blood sausage, but this set the bar pretty high! It was very flavorful with a lovely smokiness. Along with the pig ears, which they crisped up (which I enjoyed crunching on), the total dish was a fantastic “tasting.” When you have such rich flavorful ingredients and flavor combinations, you only need a “tasting” as to not overpower your pallet or fill your stomach to the brim!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The chocolate spaghetti was fresh. I think if you are going to eat pasta, eat it fresh from a place that makes it fresh daily! It not only absorbs the flavors better but it’s a whole other texture than what people are accustomed to. The cauliflower crema, black truffle butter and pecorino tartufato married beautifully and was very comforting to the pallet. I think truffle can be overused and overpowering but the balance between flavors were spot on! Again the portion is perfect for one considering the richness in flavors and textures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of a traditional sweet dessert we opted for the cheese plate which came with 7 different cheeses. from hard to soft from mild to stinky, accompanied with a beautiful caraway cake, candied pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts and a half glass of wine; it was the perfect way to end the meal.\u003cbr>\nOur service was IMPECCABLE from start to finish. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable on the menu as well as the wine selection and answered all of our questions regarding the menu, combining flavors as well as which region, grapes and what made our wine so special. Top notch! I would highly recommend SPQR and would gladly return. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 27, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First off, the staff at SPQR was super-friendly and unpretentious from the moment we walked in the door. SPQR is located in a small cozy space with low lights and quiet music. The environment allows for intimate conversations and makes a great place to go on a date. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I noticed a number of diners sitting at bar alone in front of the open kitchen. It had the kind of vibe where you wouldn’t feel awkward doing so, especially since the chef was constantly chatting up the patrons sitting at the bar. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Right after we sat down, the restaurant sent over two glasses of sparkling Rose. We followed that shortly after with a bottle of Vermentino wine. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our first course was a fava leaf Caesar salad with a 6-minute egg, buttery croutons and salty fried boquerones. Next we had the Dungeness crab and quinoa salad with baby beets and salsa verde. Both were excellent. We ordered two main courses, both pastas. One was smoked fettuccini, sea urchin, smoked bacon, and soft quail egg and the other was my personal favorite: black trumpet mushroom pasta with marsala braised duck ragu. Both had distinct and very different tastes. I feel the interesting and innovative ingredients used in their pastas are what really set this restaurant apart from others. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our dessert was bread pudding with hazelnuts and chocolate ice cream.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The wait staff was very attentive and always checking on us. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill was $95 per person for two appetizers, two entrees, and one dessert with a bottle of wine, which cost $48.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I would definitely recommend this restaurant and go back again. The experience fits my criterion for a great night out: nice people, good customer service, great ambiance, and delicious food. \u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>SPQR: Reviews\u003c/strong> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8611\">restaurant info + video\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/?p=8546\">full episode video\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/jennifer-leibick125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Leibick\" title=\"Jennifer Leibick\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Jennifer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Stay-at-home Mom\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> SPQR\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Monday, February 25, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have been to SPQR for dinner over twenty times. Each time has been a wonderful experience and I have felt like I have gone on a culinary adventure. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming with interesting artwork on the walls. There is always a lovely host/hostess to greet you, and the wait staff and sommeliers are top notch. All staff is incredibly knowledgeable about the ingredients on the menu and the wines on the extensive Italian wine list. They make sure you are happy with your food and wine and that your glass is always full!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not always easy to get a table so I would suggest making a reservation. They have about fifteen tables, as well as bar seating and a fantastic chef’s table. The chef’s table is great because you get to see the food being prepared and you can converse with the sous chefs. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cuisine is Italian, however, the menu is eclectic and the presentation has a French flair. They always use seasonal ingredients and have a way of taking something basic and putting a fantastic spin on it. For example, the Caesar salad I had recently was not your everyday Caesar with creamy dressing, sliced anchovies and parmesan shavings. Instead, their version had hand picked fava bean leaves dressed in vinaigrette with whole, fried anchovies and a delicious cheese crisp. Another example is the tiramisu; instead of presenting a piece on a plate, they served it deconstructed in a glass. It was a pretty presentation and fun to eat because I started at the top, tasting the ground espresso and mascarpone and then worked my way down to the ladyfingers. Delicious! \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Items from every section of the menu are exciting to try, but my absolute favorite part is the homemade pasta! Everything, from the chocolate spaghetti with black truffle butter to the buckwheat tagliatelle with cider and bacon braised suckling pork, is AMAZING and comparable (if not better) to pasta in Italy! The best pasta dish I’ve ever had there was homemade pasta with lamb ragu. The braised lamb was in a flavorful tomato based sauce and had a rich, smooth texture.\u003cbr>\nThe recent recipients of a Michelin star for 2013 prove time and time again that they offer more then a great meal; they give guests a delightful and delicious experience. This is a special spot to go if you are looking to relax and enjoy five-star service, Italian inspired cuisine and unforgettable Italian wines. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/nicole-quihuis125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Quihuis\" title=\"Nicole Quihuis\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Nicole\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Food Photographer\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Jose\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Sunday, February 24, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nestled in the Pacific Heights, SPQR is a place I’ve wanted to eat at. It’s small, intimate, romantic and they pipe in great 80’s music all night long! Whoever chose this restaurant has a good knowledge food, a sense of adventure, but also a great pallet for fine food!! We had no trouble finding metered parking on a Sunday for our reservations at 6:00, we even walked in about 10 minutes early and they were able to seat us right away. We were there until about 9:00pm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whenever I see a liver mousse on the menu, I have to try it! Not only do I love liver, but I love the texture of mousse buttered on top of a piece of grilled crusty bread. The portion was perfect for sharing for two, as they served four nice slices of grilled bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suckling pork ‘porchetta’ was very tasty. They used the pork belly and rolled it into the familiar ‘pinwheel’ I’m accustomed to seeing when I see and have eaten porchetta. There was a bit blood sausage on the plate. I don’t have a lot of experience with blood sausage, but this set the bar pretty high! It was very flavorful with a lovely smokiness. Along with the pig ears, which they crisped up (which I enjoyed crunching on), the total dish was a fantastic “tasting.” When you have such rich flavorful ingredients and flavor combinations, you only need a “tasting” as to not overpower your pallet or fill your stomach to the brim!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The chocolate spaghetti was fresh. I think if you are going to eat pasta, eat it fresh from a place that makes it fresh daily! It not only absorbs the flavors better but it’s a whole other texture than what people are accustomed to. The cauliflower crema, black truffle butter and pecorino tartufato married beautifully and was very comforting to the pallet. I think truffle can be overused and overpowering but the balance between flavors were spot on! Again the portion is perfect for one considering the richness in flavors and textures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of a traditional sweet dessert we opted for the cheese plate which came with 7 different cheeses. from hard to soft from mild to stinky, accompanied with a beautiful caraway cake, candied pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts and a half glass of wine; it was the perfect way to end the meal.\u003cbr>\nOur service was IMPECCABLE from start to finish. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable on the menu as well as the wine selection and answered all of our questions regarding the menu, combining flavors as well as which region, grapes and what made our wine so special. Top notch! I would highly recommend SPQR and would gladly return. \u003c/p>\n\u003chr size=\"1\" noshade>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2013/04/brian-boitano125x125.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Boitano\" title=\"Brian Boitano\" hspace=\"4\" align=\"left\">\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Name:\u003c/strong> Brian\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Occupation:\u003c/strong> Olympic Champion / Cookbook Author\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Location:\u003c/strong> San Francisco\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Favorite Restaurant:\u003c/strong> Pompei’s Grotto\u003cbr>\n\u003cstrong>Reviewed SPQR:\u003c/strong> Wednesday, February 27, 2013\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr clear=\"all\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First off, the staff at SPQR was super-friendly and unpretentious from the moment we walked in the door. SPQR is located in a small cozy space with low lights and quiet music. The environment allows for intimate conversations and makes a great place to go on a date. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I noticed a number of diners sitting at bar alone in front of the open kitchen. It had the kind of vibe where you wouldn’t feel awkward doing so, especially since the chef was constantly chatting up the patrons sitting at the bar. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Right after we sat down, the restaurant sent over two glasses of sparkling Rose. We followed that shortly after with a bottle of Vermentino wine. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our first course was a fava leaf Caesar salad with a 6-minute egg, buttery croutons and salty fried boquerones. Next we had the Dungeness crab and quinoa salad with baby beets and salsa verde. Both were excellent. We ordered two main courses, both pastas. One was smoked fettuccini, sea urchin, smoked bacon, and soft quail egg and the other was my personal favorite: black trumpet mushroom pasta with marsala braised duck ragu. Both had distinct and very different tastes. I feel the interesting and innovative ingredients used in their pastas are what really set this restaurant apart from others. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Our dessert was bread pudding with hazelnuts and chocolate ice cream.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The wait staff was very attentive and always checking on us. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill was $95 per person for two appetizers, two entrees, and one dessert with a bottle of wine, which cost $48.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I would definitely recommend this restaurant and go back again. The experience fits my criterion for a great night out: nice people, good customer service, great ambiance, and delicious food. \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
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"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
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},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
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"order": 1
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"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
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"order": 9
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"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
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"subscribe": {
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
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"id": "fresh-air",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"hidden-brain": {
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
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"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
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"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
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"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
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"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
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},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
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