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I recently got the chance to spend a night a the Hyatt last week and it was the best experience. The location is amazing- a few steps away from BART, the Ferry Building, Embarcadero Center, and a...
I recently got the chance to spend a night a the Hyatt last week and it was the best experience. The location is amazing- a few steps away from BART, the Ferry Building, Embarcadero Center, and a few blocks from Union Square. Easy access to Fisherman's wharf and other sites too! The concierge is knowledgeable and helpful, and staff is very friendly.
I also have to say that the rooms here are top notch, equipped with mini-fridge, nice bathrooms, and high quality bedding with pillow top mattresses with tons of down pillows. The bed was the seriously the highlight of my week!
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Overall, I'd say this place has mediocre food, especially for the price. I was less than impressed with my salmon entree, as were my friends with their own entrees, but the garlic fries were a...
Overall, I'd say this place has mediocre food, especially for the price. I was less than impressed with my salmon entree, as were my friends with their own entrees, but the garlic fries were a stand out. What may slightly make up for this is the nice selection of namesake beers and bonus that you can try a little shot glass full for free before deciding which you'd like. The view from the second floor of the bay bridge is also wonderful. Beware it can get very crowded after a Giant's game. In short- nice place for appetizers and beers, but don't expect much for dinner.
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Hog Island has got to have one of the best happy hour deals in the city. $1 oysters, $3 beers, and an added bonus of outdoor seating with a great view of the bay. The lines can look daunting, but...
Hog Island has got to have one of the best happy hour deals in the city. $1 oysters, $3 beers, and an added bonus of outdoor seating with a great view of the bay. The lines can look daunting, but the wait isn't actually very long.
The oysters are super fresh and served up on ice with plenty of tabasco, lemon, and their sweet/sour migionette. You also get fresh made bread and breadsticks to go along with your oysters and beer. Their clam chowder is also delish- though a bit pricey at $12/bowl.
Friendly wait-staff too.
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I'm a huge fan of chinese rice porridge, aka congee, aka jook, and I've been wanting to visit this place for ages since they are purported to be the best in the city.
Prices are dirt cheap,...
I'm a huge fan of chinese rice porridge, aka congee, aka jook, and I've been wanting to visit this place for ages since they are purported to be the best in the city.
Prices are dirt cheap, service is truly awful, and setting is slightly grungy...but there must be 15 types of porridge on the menu! Serving sizes are generous and the porridge is served steaming hot and the grains of rice are cooked down into a congealed gooey mess, just the way I love it.
They also offer up fresh made chinese doughnuts (not sweet) or fried bread to tear up and eat with the porridge. My favorite porridge is century egg and shredded chicken or pork. The perfect asian comfort food. They also have good, cheap noodle dishes and other entrees.
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Samovar Tea Lounge is a great little place to hang out in the Castro if you want something a little more relaxing than the typical bar scene. If only it was open later than 10 pm!
Samovar has...
Samovar Tea Lounge is a great little place to hang out in the Castro if you want something a little more relaxing than the typical bar scene. If only it was open later than 10 pm!
Samovar has a huge array of teas including different varieties of white, green, black, and herbal. The menu also has some food items such as small plates, desserts, etc. The servers are knowledgable and can help with recommendations and descriptions of the teas. All are served in asian-style teapots and can serve at least 4-5 cups- not bad for $5-6.
Don't miss the trio of tea infused cookies which were delicious.
If you're with a group, make sure to reserve the low table at the back where you get to sit atop funky wicker seat cushions.
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If I'm to believe the grand opening signs hanging outside the restaurant, the O'Farrell St. location is home to the newest outlet of Naan and Curry. Probably the best thing about the place is that...
If I'm to believe the grand opening signs hanging outside the restaurant, the O'Farrell St. location is home to the newest outlet of Naan and Curry. Probably the best thing about the place is that it's just one block away from Union Square! Finally, another good option for cheap/good eats in this area.
Other highlights include the super cheap food ($5.99 for most dishes, 9.99 for seafood curries, $1 naan); free milk tea; generous salad bar with various yogurts, chutneys, and pickles; a spacious seating area that doesn't yet smell of tandoori smoke and spices.
There is the same deal as their other restaurants where you order and pay at the counter, then pick up plates, silverware, napkins, etc. as well as a carafe of water from the fridge.
Food is all great, especially their daily specials that are posted on the wall. My favorites are the fresh made naan, chicken tikka kebob, aloo gobi, and their beef curries.
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Troya
Category:
Food & Dining
349 Clement Street
San Francisco, California 94101
(415) 379-6000
Troya is a somewhat new Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in the space where Pera used to be on Clement. Nice ambiance and decor with dimmed lighting, candles, and some funky low seating in the...
Troya is a somewhat new Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in the space where Pera used to be on Clement. Nice ambiance and decor with dimmed lighting, candles, and some funky low seating in the back. Staff is very friendly and helpful as well. Prices are low-mid priced.
The good: Nice mix of small plates and entrees. The kabobs were great- large portions, moist, lots of flavor. We also really enjoyed the traditional Turkish Iskender Kebab, recommended by the waitress. This is a mix of beef and cubes of bread cooked in yogurt, spices and tomato. Sounds strange, but it worked. Other traditional turkish items we tried were great too.
The bad: Turkish Tea was a huge disappointment. I assumed it would be like the mint tea or spiced tea i've had in the middle east- instead it tasted like plain Lipton and was served with some packets of sugar. The hummus was also not very nice- my friend stated that even Trader Joes makes better hummus than here. Very bland, and the free yogurty dipping sauce that came with the flat bread was a hundred times better. The veggie stew recommended by the waitress was good but portions were tiny- it came in a little ramekin- an expensive choice for $9.95.
I would probably go back again, but next time will stick to traditional items, and avoid the hummus.
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Whiskers is a great independent pet store that stocks some high quality pet items. A lot of what they sell is too expensive for my tastes, like the designer leashes, collars, and clothes, but I...
Whiskers is a great independent pet store that stocks some high quality pet items. A lot of what they sell is too expensive for my tastes, like the designer leashes, collars, and clothes, but I love that they carry the best dog food lines available. Employees are knowledgeable and very generous with samples.
They also sell an assortment of pet toys and treats, with a huge line of Merrick bones and chews. There's even a baked goods counter where you can pick up a doggie cookie!
There is usually a groomer on site, though I called recently and they were in the process of hiring a new one. I believe there are also self-service baths as well.
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Mara's is a tiny bakery in the heart of North Beach, and where I also head to if I'm craving some fresh made focaccia. It's always piled high in their front window along with lots of other...
Mara's is a tiny bakery in the heart of North Beach, and where I also head to if I'm craving some fresh made focaccia. It's always piled high in their front window along with lots of other delicious pastries, and a huge piece will only set you back a couple bucks. This place also has some really great canolis.
They also have a variety of Italian cookies that you can mix and match, though I've never tried those. Gelato and coffee too!
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Maverick
Category:
Food & Dining
3316 17th Street
San Francisco, California 94101
(415) 863-3061
Maverick has just become my new favorite spot for brunch in the city. $5 blackberry mimosas and the best tasting buttermilk pancakes I've had, ever. Very moist and sweet but not overly so, with a...
Maverick has just become my new favorite spot for brunch in the city. $5 blackberry mimosas and the best tasting buttermilk pancakes I've had, ever. Very moist and sweet but not overly so, with a fabulous high grade maple syrup and chicken apple sausages to go with. For an average of $8-10 per plate, the portions are more than generous.
My boyfriend had the Texan Migas omelet, which came with half a plate of perfectly made garlicky fried potatoes.
The brunch menu has a nice mix of breakfast items as well as lunch items such as a burger, sandwiches, etc. Their specials also come highly recommended, such as the fresh made doughnut holes they had this Sunday.
Nice little restaurant with pleasant interior and unpretentious service too.
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