Maverick on Track to be a Mission Stand-by

[rating: 4]

When I first walked into Maverick, I instantly went into grandma mode. "Ohhh this is just darling! Isn't it cute?! It's just so cute!" If Maverick had cheeks they would've been bright red from all of the pinching. It's a warm, intimate restaurant, which isn't crazy loud, but certainly not awkwardly silent; perfect for any occasion (they even have a table that seats 8-10 if you want to go with a larger group)...Continue Reading

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Pesce - a Cut Above Your Average Neighborhood Italian

[rating:3.5]

Okay you know the scene in the Godfather when Michael assassinates Sollozzo in the Italian restaurant? As soon as I walked into Pesce I felt like I was in a similar scene. Well, minus the white table cloths and the getting shot in the head part. This is a tile floored, wooden walled, no frills, neighborhood Italian joint that is taking a spin on "family style" by serving seafood tapas instead of giant platters of baked ziti. And it works...Continue Reading

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Waterbar - Fun to Look at, Not as Fun to Eat at.

[rating: 2.5]

In an era when restaurants are getting cozier and street food is the emerging city-wide trend (read: the economy took a hit), waterbar is a bit out of place.

Let's not kid ourselves here - much like any other restaurant on the Embarcadero, when you come here you're paying for the atmosphere. Kuleto's vision was grand indeed and deserves 4 stars, so, if you don't care much about how the food tastes and prefer to be surrounded by white tablecloths, glitzy railings, and aquariums, then this is the place for you. This place screams power lunch, and if setting the right mood and landing the deal was more important to me than how the food tastes, then this would be a solid choice. However, as we all know, my bottom line is the food, which is 2 stars tops...Continue Reading

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Eating my Way Through the Holidays, or, How to Gain a Pound a Day pt. 1

Like any normal girl, when I arrived at my parent's house for the holidays, I wanted to process meat. I told my dad I wanted to accomplish 3 things: make pate, make some kind of fresh, stuffed pasta (I had been thinking a sort of goat cheese/pork/rabbit creation), and make sausage. Some people make gingerbread cookies to celebrate the holidays. I wanted chorizo...

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Tis the Season to be Captivated by Boulevard

[rating: 4]

As soon as I walked through the revolving doors, I knew it was going to be a special night. To describe the holiday decor as "festive" would not be doing this restaurant justice - garlands, wreaths, and glistening ornaments decorating the ceilings, walls, and walkways make the already beautiful interior nothing short of breathtaking. The whole dining room sparkled like there was magic in the air. I know, I know that's totally cheesy but hey, I know magic when I see it...Continue Reading

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Jardiniere, Deconstructed.

[rating: 4.5]

First of all, making reservations a month in advance is like torture because every day you get more and more impatient for the big day to come. As much as I tried not to, after so much waiting I had very high expectations for the meal I planned on having at this restaurant (the full tasting + wine pairing). In a sense, I was setting myself up to be let down. Not only did Jardiniere meet my somewhat unrealistic expectations, it far surpassed them...Continue Reading

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Give the Gift of Chocolate…to Me.

[rating: 5]

CocoaBella, you had me at "try a free sample."

Not only is this the best chocolate I've had in San Francisco, it's also some of the best chocolate I've ever had. And that coming from a girl who went on a chocolate tour of both Brussels and Paris. I called it my "Obesity Tour." Basically, CocoaBella has chocolates imported from all over the world and brings them together in one convenient location so that you can save all of that flight money and put it towards buying chocolate.

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