Kimmie N.'s Profile

It's pricey for dim sum and sometimes you may wait an hour.  But the service is always great and the food consistent.  The Shanghai dumplings are the only thing that I come here for...that and all those Asian weddings.  Their dumplings are some of the best that I've ever had both here and in China. Not to be missed.

$1 Happy hour oysters with $5 sangria and wine.  Come early and it's easy to find parking.  There's not too much eye candy but it's a nice spot for meeting up with friends on an early Friday evening.

I work in the SOMA so John Colins is the perfect location for meeting up with friends for happy hour.  It's usually not that crowded, the drinks are strong, and they're right next door to Osha Thai.  They turn up the music a tad bit high but it's really not a problem unless you're trying to have a heart to heart with someone.  And if you are, you probably shouldn't be doing it in a bar.

85 beers on tap.  $15 specialty pot pie.  And a prime location in case you want to bar hop.  Parking sucks but if you plan to drink a lot of beers, might as well cab it.

I work next door to Orson and stopped by on opening week.  The space is amazing with really high ceilings and lots of seating.  I love the leather chairs and the dark brown and silver touches, reminds me a lot of NYC eateries.

And that's about as good as it gets.  They had a very limited appetizer menu and an almost non-existent wine list.  We ordered really expensive champagne because there wasn't anything else besides cocktails.  The appetizers weren't memorable at all and I haven't been back since.  Coworkers have gone a few other times in the hopes that the kinks have worked itself out.  Nope. The food has only gotten weirder and weirder, which would be fine if it were cooked well - bacon ice cream, tempura fried eggs, pop rocks sprinked on panna cotta...

It's a hidden spot where the entrance isn't found by looking at the address.  Turn down Mariposa St. and on the corner of Florida St. you'll find the way in.  The birch colored wood lining the second level was especially nice.  The owner, Jason Paul (yes two first names), promised it wasn't Ikea wood but the real deal.

They had a wine event last evening, which they'll probably be having more often given how many people showed up.  We stayed back at the bar drinking champagne and eating sandwiches.  The food is good but priced a bit on the high-end for what you get.  It is though comparable to other wine bar prices.  I hear the coffee is wonderful but haven't had a chance to try it yet.  Next time..

I work just around the corner from COCO but have only been here a handful of times for lunch.  From the outside, it looks a bit stuffy and pricey.  But it's really not.  Sure there will be a few suits inside talking business, but lunchtime always brings a varied crowd.  

The food is yummy and they switch up the menu often.  I recently had the duck confit with couscous and it was so, so good.  And we always get an order of fried green beans for the table.  The dipping sauce is delish.  Last time I was there I even got a glimpse of the chef, who is on this season's Top Chef.

I love Maverick.  It's the kind of place to take close friends on a warm night to throw back glasses of wine and talk about life changes.  It's a small venue with low lighting and sleek wood tables.  The duck confit and fried chicken are really good.  It's a bit upscale for home cooking but it's well worth it for the atmosphere.

Only open for four months and it's packed even mid-week.  Tall ceilings, low lighting, sleek wood tables and steel chairs.  There is seating by the open kitchen at a long bar that overlooks the wood-fire oven.  I love the long communal table in the center which is great for groups.  

Nothing on the menu is over $20 and most small plates are $12.  Very reasonably priced and so tasty.  I definitely recommend the onion jam with blue cheese pizza.  They have a diverse selection of wine that's rotated often.  One of the owners, Mark Bright, was previously the sommelier for Michael Mina, so you can be sure he chooses the best.  The noise level is a little high but you can get away with it by scooting closer to your date.

At 417 reviews, you really don't need another mediocre one but I couldn't resist.  Especially since I waited over an hour to get into this place.  They take reservations for parties larger than five on busy nights.  Though it seems every night is busy.

What to do while waiting?  Grab a drink at the bar if there's room or drink up at 3300 Club (just down the street) and they'll ring you when your tables are ready.  

It's Soul, Carribean food served under stamped-tin ceilings, low lighting, and quirky decor.  I loved the atmosphere and prices.  Everything else was so-so.  My champagne was flat, the fried chicken was OKAY, and almost everything on the menu is baked, fried, or slathered in gravy.  It's good grubbing if you're into artery clogging food.

Oh...and parking is a biatch.