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Downtown SF
Favorite places downtown that are within walking distance from Powell and Montgomery BART stations.
50 Places
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Bonnie’s 4-star review: A few updates: - Arrive before 9pm on weekend nights and you can definitely score a table for a medium sized party. Otherwise be prepared to stand with drinks in hand. - Prices per cocktail have gone up by $1-2 :( - Quality of drinks are a little inconsistent due to different bartenders; one cocktail would be sweet while another identical drink order would be too bitter. - Service seems more efficient now and we all got our drinks in a timely manner. I will always enjoy coming here (am still a regular!), but these are just a few changes I've noticed in my past couple of visits. -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: I've come here a couple more times, from a work dinner to a regular Happy Hour and I am still impressed with Japser's. Another favorite item I discovered: + STEAK FRITES: perfectly cooked medium rare steak over truffle fries topped with caramelized onions...divine!! I could not get over how well the fries paired with the sauce of caramelized onions. The truffle oil wasn't overpowering and complemented the steak very well. If I had the budget I would definitely eat this dish more!! HAPPY HOUR: Since I can't splurge too much on the regular dinner entree items, Happy Hour is another perfect time to come visit. Split a large plate of JASPER FRIES (thin cut fries + sweet potato fries topped w/ jalapenos and cheese) for only $5. Another tasty choice are the SLIDERS (perfectly juicy and medium rare). You can get $4 house wine (La Terre) and their chardonnay isn't bad. The only thing I wish they included with the Happy Hour menu are draft beers. Jasper's also accepts reservations for Happy Hour time via Yelp or on their website so it's easy to coordinate an event for a larger group. Looking forward to visiting again...cheers! -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: My prayers have been answered after two years! UNIQLO finally opened its doors in San Francisco. Now I don't have to trek to NY or Asia for my UNIQLO fix. I tell UNIQLO-noobs this place carries basics (ala GAP) but with brighter colors and more affordable pricing. I don't see how providing a variety of colors in certain basics is repetitive--helloooo, if a shirt fits me right, then I would want it in every flattering color! Or is that just me...? CLOTHING to check out: + Heattech! You can check their website on the magic behind it, but it kept me warm during snow in Shanghai and the chilly, rainy days of The Bay. I get Heattech tanks to layer under dresses/sweaters, long sleeve shirts to layer under jackets or to sleep in (my house sucks with heating), and leggings + tights to pair with boots. + Ultra light down: my go-to winter jacket has always been a puffy Northface one, but one too man washes and time made me toss it into the donation pile. Plus after awhile, you get tired of looking like a marshmallow. I like the light down because it makes the jackets thinner, but it still retains a lot of warmth. + Leggings pants: thicker than leggings, more comfy than jeans, but can still look polished and structured with a looser top, blazer, flats/heels/boots. SERVICE I've worked in customer service before, and UNIQLO has got this down to a T. By asking if you found everything alright, they're just doing their jobs! Whenever I needed a different size or color, an associate would be very attentive and checked the back for me to make sure they had it in stock. Trust me, if you go to the ones in Asia, there is a chorus of "Welcome" every time someone walks through the door. SALES I'm so glad they integrated their social media sales (via website and Facebook) with the SF store. I was getting so jealous that the NY stores got all the good deals. I'm hoping to stop by here again soon to load up on Heattech. LOCATION Right up Powell Street, it's an easy walk from the Powell BART station. Just head towards Union Square and you can't miss the UNIQLO on the left. PARKING/TRANSPORTATION First, why are you driving to downtown SF? Do you want to run over pedestrians or ding up your car trying to park?? If you must do so, then you're gonna end up shelling out some big bucks for a local parking structure. You are better of BARTing here and getting off at Powell Station or taking the MUNI/bus. BONUS Fun photo booth on the middle floor--you can take collage photos with friends and choose different border designs for the pictures. It's the perfect souvenir for out-of-town visitors. And you even get a digital copy sent to your email, sweet! -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Gotta be honest...the FREE PHOTO BOOTH lured me in. Friend had a birthday dinner on a Friday night downtown, and we wanted to find a bar to go afterwards. DRINKS - Rasputin: pleasantly refreshing! I just remember raspberry, mint, and some whiskey was involved. The big plus was the mint. It was decently strong. - Rickshaw: my friend got this drink! This seriously tasted like grapefruit juice, but it packed a kick so don't be fooled. PRICES I think the special house drinks were $10, which is a bit steep but that's SF for you. ATMOSPHERE Top floor was more loungey--there's huge couches all around with big tables. There seemed to be a dance floor on the bottom, but since we didn't want to pay to get in (or to check our coats + bags), we opted to chill upstairs. Apparently there's some kind of trapeze acts on wknd nights too, but we didn't stay long enough to see. Gotta come back! LOCATION Since it's SOMA, the walk there is a bit sketch so come with a large grp of friends! It's easy to miss cos it sits between 2 adult book/video stores, haha. Close proximity to downtown and BART. EXTRAS Photo boot ftw! It wasn't crowded at all and it comes with pretty backgrounds. Remember the last pic will be the biggest one, so pose accordingly for that -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: The full three stars are for the yummy cheesecake, despite being $7 a slice. But the tiramisu was delicious, rich, and pleasing. Downgrade 2 stars for the ridiculously long wait and poor service regarding our tables. Came in with a party of 11 and we got split into two booth tables, so our whole party couldn't even converse with each other. Half of our party even came into the city an hour earlier to snag a table, but the total wait was still around 2 hrs. I guess that was still better than waiting 3 hours for a big table. Food: I want to say that it's on par with Chili's and other chain restaurants. I got the Smokehouse BBQ burger (medium-rare). It came with onion rings and fries. The fries were nice and crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. The onion rings were actually stacked within the burger, but I just pulled them aside to eat separately. And the burger was HUGE. I ate half of everything and saved the rest for lunch the next day. Price: A bit on the expensive side, which is expected from eating out in SF. What was NOT expected was that they still charged us a 18% gratuity for our party even though we split the bills between our two tables. Service: Our waiter seemed curt and too much in a rush. He also insisted my friend order a different dish, because my friend's original choice "is not as good." Who says that to patrons? But our replacement waiter (Stevie) was wonderful and always refilled our water and brought us lots of bread and butter. I don't think I'll come here again with a big group of ppl. Or at least I will not come for a meal. The better plan would be to eat somewhere else, come to CCF for dessert (take-out at the counter), and eat it outside in Union Square. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Delicious drinks and good food! What more can you ask for when catching up with an out-of-town friend? {ATMOSPHERE} As my friend and I sat at the bar downstairs, we could not help but admire the huge bay windows at the front of the store which let in lots of summer light. Everything is wooden and had a casual atmosphere of a lounge (TV's for sports included) but with a more classy twist. {DRINKS} I love tequila based drinks and went with the TOROSIAN HEAT (Reposado Tequila, Stone Fruit-Jalapeño Marmalade, Lime, Pineapple). I was pleasantly surprised about the jalapeño marmalade and am excited to try more spicy drinks from now on. You can definitely taste the smooth tequila, but it wasn't overpowering. My friend got the MEYER LEMON CRUSTA (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Meyer Limoncello, Pierre Fernand Dry Curaçao)--it's sweet, citrusy, and the glass is rimmed with sugar. {FOOD} Taleggio Stuffed Arancini, Black Garlic Aioli - got to sample two of these fried risotto rice balls stuffed with cheese. They are crispy, rich, and oozing with mouthwatering goodness. The real winner was the tangy garlic aioli sauce..I wanted to lick the plate clean but alas, the waiter took it away. Little Shells, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Grilled Corn w/ English Peas, Basil, Truffle Butter - the truffle butter and parmesan cheese on top really brought out the richness of this dish. My friend really enjoyed the fresh corn in this dish. I would love it more if it had more mushrooms. Fillmore Pizza w/ Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Leeks, Mozzarella, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Fontina, Garlic, Thyme - I ordered this 12 inch pizza due to my affinity of mushrooms and I was not disappointed! The pizza was loaded with thinly sliced mushrooms that paired well with the white sauce and garlic. The pizza is Neopolitan style with a thin, crispy, yet chewy crust. I could only eat half and saved half for lunch the next day. {SERVICE} I came here before the dinner rush (5:30pm) on Pride Weekend and was able to get a table for 2 within 10 minutes. In the meantime, you can order a drink at the bar while waiting (although in hindsight, that made carrying our drinks up to the dining area a bit precarious). The bartender was attentive and helpful in recommending drinks for our taste preferences; he even made my cocktail less spicy when I was hesitant about the jalapeño marmalade. Our waiter was also very welcoming when he found out we were newcomers--he brought out a sample of the Taleggio Stuffed Arancini for us to try! *PLEASE NOTE* - This is a small restaurant. I probably wouldn't come here with more than 6-8 ppl (definitely make a reservation for a larger group). You can do it via OpenTable or their website. - It's a bit pricey...cocktails average between $11-12 and the entrees are between $15-20. I will come back again for a special occasion.
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Bonnie’s 4-star review: The Metreon has always been my go-to movie theater in downtown SF (hello Harry Potter premieres! #nostalgia). This nice theater was tucked away in Westfield and I never knew about it?! Sometimes I think Westfield has hidden wings that I have yet to explore. Wang Leehom's new movie, My Lucky Star, was only premiering at this theater downtown. I knew the North American premiere of this Chinese movie would only be in select cities for a couple of weeks and I wanted to see it soon. I was on a mission--see Leehom or bust! Although Fandango failed at updating the movie times on their website before 9/20, it was very easy to call the theater and speak to an associate to quickly get info. The medium-sized theater had leather seats that were extremely comfortable with decent leg space in front of you. And the arm rests move up if you want more room to stretch out (or to cuddle :P). Bathroom and hallways seemed very clean--no popcorn or candy wrappers strewn about. And ladies, there are so many stalls in the women's restroom that waiting in line is completely unnecessary. Prices are comparable to SF movie theaters ($6.50 for early bird, $9.50 for matinee, $11.25 for evening, and $9 student tickets for matinee & evenings). I'm used to cheaper prices near home, but I was willing to fork over a bit more for my Wang Leehom fix! #fangirl Overall, it's a very clean and comfortable theater and I wouldn't mind coming back here. And you can go shopping/eat right in the mall afterward! -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: I've come back quite a few more times due to its proximity to the Powell shopping area. My go-to dish is now the UNAGI DONBURI. The eel is still cooked perfectly and their rice texture is really good now! I also enjoyed their complimentary MISO SOUP -- it comes with so many tofu bits. My boyfriend recently ordered the TONKATSU DINNER SPECIAL and I had a bite. It was also very tasty! The pork cutlet was moist and well fried, and I enjoyed the Worcestershire dipping sauce on the side. This dish also comes with a complimentary miso soup and green salad. I still feel the food is a good portion, you just pay a slightly higher premium due to its downtown location. Just a quick note on the SERVICE -- we walked in around 5PM on a Saturday night and looked like we beat the dinner rush. However, it still took the hostess a few minutes before greeting us and taking us to a table. Our food arrived ~25-30 mins after ordering, so they do take some time in preparation. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Can CD's not be extinct yet?! Well you can certainly find bargain CD's here at Rasputin. This store is much larger compared to the one in Berkeley. The first 3 levels have lots of new and old DVD's and VHS tapes (yes, these still exist!). The top 2 floors have most of the music CD's, from punk, indie, rock, etc. I really like the diverse selection of music here for very affordable prices. I usually go straight to the bargain sections to try and find older CD's for $2 or more. Previously I got the Backstreet Boys Milennium CD to replace the one I lost. This time I scored Justin Timberlake's 2 older CD's for just $1.95 each. I still get a little excited popping a CD into my car as opposed to listening to the radio. Perks: + Big selection of videos and CD's + B3G1 free deal Things to note: - No student discount here - Floors 3-5 only accessible by a tiny cramped elevator -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: The inner girl in me LOVES this store. Every time I'm in Westfield, I just have to stop by the basement level to take a look around. Looking at Hello Kitty and other Sanrio items just gives me warm fuzzy feelings inside...seriously, why wouldn't a giant pink Hello Kitty bicycle cheer you up?! Or that luggage set...or the USB drives... Honestly, the items here are on the pricier side but they are definitely cute. And the merchandise is more diverse with other Sanrio characters, unlike American stores such as Target (where the focus is solely on Hello Kitty). The quality of the items are also decent; I have wallets and key chains that have lasted for a good many years. Other perks: + Frequent promo events, such as celebrating Hello Kitty's birthday with free beverages and snacks for customers + Coupon vouchers for discounts or free items via Google Offers, Amazon Local, or other online discount sites + Follow their instagram (@sanriosfcentre) for other promo events and contests/giveaways -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: This is a very classy wine and beer lounge in the downtown area. It's in the little plaza that you walk through on the way to the old MOMA location. For my friend's birthday night, we had a reservation down for 9 ppl at 9pm on Saturday. We finished dinner early arrived a little after 8pm. They were still able to accommodate us because it wasn't too crowded yet. We wanted to sit in the lounge areas with the couches but the hostess insisted we stay at the table or in the corner area with the benches and ottomans since our party wasn't that big. I thought that was a little odd since it was clearly early and most of the couches were unoccupied. I'm not a big wine or beer connoisseur so I decided to try the BUBBLES FLIGHT (champagne). I got 3 wine glasses that were 1/4 filled with a NPA sparkly sauv. blanc, caraccioli brut cuvee, and fleury champagne. Taste-wise, I liked the sweeter and more citrusy notes of the carraccioli. Although I enjoyed my drinks, I was a little surprised they didn't fill the glasses more for $28 (definitely a splurge for me!). This is a nice place to hang out with a larger group of friends for drinks and conversation. After 9pm, a live DJ started playing more upbeat music. I would come back again to hang out with friends and maybe try a beer for a more inexpensive drink option. -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: This is a solid place to grab a quick lunch in the Westfield food court if you don't feel like Chipotle or Panda Express. I consider this location a Japanese fast food joint. You order at the cashier on the right side and slowly make your way left while you watch the chefs stir fry your food. I tried the CHICKEN TERIYAKI rice plate and was surprised at its large portion for only $6.95. They fill a big square Styrofoam box with white rice, teriyaki chicken, and stir fried veggies. While not fine cuisine, it does hit the spot and fill you up so you can have more energy to shop! The good: + Quick service + Cheap pricing + Large portions + Tasty food The negatives: - Not sustainable by their use of Styrofoam boxes -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Garlic noodles are still deliciously garlicky! Stopped by for to-go and they were ready in 5 mins. However...waiting for a Vietnamese iced coffee took 15 MINUTES. I appreciate them making it fresh but that is too long for to-go. It was over-iced and too small for the price. Sticking with Tart to Tart for my Viet coffee needs. But definitely coming back for more garlic noodles w/ 5 spice chicken! -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: This is the Japanese version of the dollar store, only much cuter and slightly classier. I have only been to the small location on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley, but this Japantown location blows my mind! The variety of products is so diverse here (kitchenware, school supplies, clothing, shoes, decorations, bathroom items, food & drinks galore!). I haven't fully explored the beauty section, but I was admiring their selection of false lashes ($1.50 / pair is a steal). Since we're entering into the winter holiday season, they had a huge selection of decorations, ornaments, wrapping paper etc. Tips: + All items are $1.50 unless otherwise noted + It gets CROWDED on weekends, so send a friend to save a spot in line for you + They take credit! + The entrance is actually on the inside of the East Gate building, not on the outside. Go through the gate into the Peace Plaza and enter on the right side the square. -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: Wandered in and saw a bunch of fresh ingredients alongside the counter, Chipotle-style. I was in need of a more healthy lunch option decided to try the THAI SHRIMP SALAD. For a salad, they definitely didn't scrimp on the shrimp. I loved the spicy and tangy zing of the chili lime vinaigrette and thought it paired well with their refreshing MINT LEMONADE. Although I liked the crunchy texture of the gem lettuce, I think I would prefer this salad to be made with some spring greens. In addition, the portion was still on the smaller side even though they called it a "Big Salad." I think I'll try a "Big Plate" option if I return because you can get a large sandwich and a side salad for the same price. Helpful tips: + Line moves relatively fast, even for the lunch rush + Plenty of seats inside and outside + Love that the produce is local and comes from sustainable sources -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: A bahn mi + boba cafe (disguised as a bakery) literally right downstairs from my office?? This can be dangerous for me. The sandwiches are a tiny bit more pricey than my favorite bahn mi place in Oakland (Cam Huong), but you're still paying less than $5 for a sandwich and that is a total steal in the FiDi area. I also approve of its proximity to my work for a quick to-go lunch. I've only bought their BAHN MI SANDWICHES here; I might venture out and try some of the deli ones too since they're rather inexpensive. Between the BBQ pork and chicken sandwiches, I say go with the PORK! The pork had a more flavorful BBQ taste and I liked how it wasn't shredded like the chicken. The bakery makes wonderfully fresh French rolls for their sandwiches -- crunchy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. If you're in need of a caffeine fix, get the VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE. You can definitely feel the jolt of energy rush through your veins as you're drinking it. I will try some of their boba milk teas in the future. Tips: - Come here after 1pm I am definitely adding Tart to Tart to my staple lunch spots near work. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: I lied...cold weather in SF will make me a frequent visitor apparently! Try the MAC DADDY and add some free tomatoes and grilled onions to it. The veggies will make you feel *slightly* healthier, but they really do break up the heaviness of the cheddar and macaroni. This was actually pretty filling compared to the 'Shroom sandwich (carb overload though!). My next favorite soup has to the SWEET CORN because it reminds me of summer. The pureed corn is very sweet and light, which provides a great contrast to my rich sandwich. Tips: + Order online to get frequent visitor benefits! Buy 9 sandwiches online and get the 10th one free. I'll try to utilize this service in the future. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: I love the option of ordering my lunch online and having it ready to be picked up in the store! My coworkers always end up waiting at least 15 mins during the lunch rush while I just walk in and grab my bag out of the wall of cubbies (like food mail!). Even though my family doesn't eat traditional Thanksgiving foods, I'm still a sucker for the culinary combo of turkey and cranberries. I enjoyed the TURKEY & CRANBERRY SANDWICH with its thick slices of roasted turkey and cranberry chutney. The sweet and tangy cranberry sauce paired well with the turkey meat and sprouts. I wish they put more cranberry sauce on it! They were out of sourdough bread so my sandwich was made with a crispy ciabatta bread (a little bit too crispy...almost poked out the roof of my mouth!). Customer service is pretty awesome...I wanted a ginger molasses cookie but they were out and placed TWO COOKIES in my bag instead (oatmeal wheatgerm chocolate chip and a seasonal tea cookie). I prefer both the ginger molasses and oatmeal wheatgerm because I like chewy cookies. I'll come back again to try their diverse menu and to get my hands on another ginger molasses cookie before they stop making them this season. Tips: - Order online! Totally worth the $0.10 bag tax instead of waiting in line -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: I heard about Sushirrito up by FiDi, but never realized they opened another location right downstairs from office. I figured Christmas week would be the perfect time to try it out to avoid a line. Come around 1pm on a normal weekday to avoid the lunch rush. Grabbed a GEISHA'S KISS and was pleasantly surprised to see the worker place a generous mound of tuna in the middle of my roll. This establishment basically makes your roll Chipotle-style and it's very easy to customize your toppings. I asked for more crunch lotus chips (seriously, can they make these to sell separately?) and pickled red onions. I'm glad I got the onions because they added more flavor to my roll. Next time I'll ask them to add some wasabi dust or wasabi mayo. Overall, this was a fun change from my usual sandwich/salad/soup combo for eating out at work. I really enjoyed the fresh fish offered here. I just wish the overall roll was a bit bigger and more flavorful for the high price point. -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: I fondly remember Blondie's during my undergrad days at UC Berkeley, so I gave in to temptation during a shopping trip downtown and popped in for a quick bite. The daily special of the pesto chicken pizza also lured me in. I must have hyped this up in my mind because the pizza didn't really "wow" me. There was plenty of chicken, pepperoni (which I thought was an odd addition), and veggies on top. However, the pesto sauce was just so-so and not too flavorful. They had to reheat the slice for me since it wasn't fresh out of the oven but it only came out to be lukewarm room temperature. Maybe I'm more of a Fat Slice girl instead of a Blondie's fan. Or this probably tastes better at 2am after a few beers anyways. ;) Pluses: + 3 different cash registers means quicker lines; don't just congregate at the register near the door + Plenty of seating space downstairs if you don't want to eat on the go + Their specials change daily + Frequent promos on Groupon and Livingsocial -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Happy New Year! With the new year inevitably comes some health-related resolutions (funny how those slip my memory during the holidays, huh?). As I looked for some healthy food options near my office, co-workers positively mentioned Mixt Greens. I always see them coming back to the office with a huge take-out box laden with fresh looking veggies and thought this would be a perfect lunch choice when I'm not bringing in my own food to the office. One of the fall/winter seasonal salads is the PARK SALAD -- mixt greens, grilled chicken, roasted brussels sprouts, shaved Parmesan, toasted pumpkin seeds, and herb roasted potatoes. I came after the big lunch rush and they were out of potatoes but let me sub in any other topping (I chose avocado). I requested the whole grain mustard vinaigrette on the side and that worked out wonderfully for eating half my salad for lunch and saving some for later in the afternoon. Perks: + Big portions for the price...almost too big! + You can choose light, medium, heavy dressing (or on the side) + Diverse customization (make your own or choose a pre-fixe salad) + Very fresh ingredients Things to note: - Lunch rush in FiDi is no joke. Get here at 11:30am or after 1pm - Salads are ginormous and I wish they had 1/2 salad options. Try to share with a co-worker/friend if possible Co-workers also highly recommend their sandwiches and I'll try one next time. -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: Hooray! Peet's now offers ALMOND MILK LATTES. Currently you can CHECK-IN ON YELP and get $1 off any vanilla latte. If you opt in for Peet's electronic newsletters, you also frequently receive coupons via email. I recently got one for $2 off any size soy/almond milk vanilla latte and decided to give it a try. Delicious! The nutty flavor of almond milk goes really well with the vanilla, and I don't feel that extra sweet flavor that I taste in soy milk. I like this particular location because it's right by my office. For some reason it doesn't get ridiculously crowded in mornings unlike Starbucks around the corner. If I need a breather from working at my cube, I often walk down for a quick break. There's also a few tables available if you want to eat lunch here too (usually I grab a bahn mi sandwich from Tart to Tart and come eat at Peet's). Additionally, there is no overwhelming background music if you want to do some work at this location--just the hum of espresso machines. Tips: + Check-in via Yelp for a discount + Subscribe to online newsletter for more coupons/discounts + Try the almond milk vanilla latte Things to note: - Peet's tends to have a lower temp on drinks compared to Starbucks. Just ask them to make it extra hot if you prefer it. -
Bonnie’s 5-star review: This is a real gem of a place tucked away by downtown/FiDi area. Even though it's small, there's quite a lot going on here. During my daily lunch stroll, I was walking up Post St. and noticed the farmer's market here -- lots of fresh veggies, fruits, pastries, breads, etc. for sale (and for sampling!). Booths with crafts and cacti/succulents for sale were also at the farmer's market. And there are lots of small boutiques on the second floor if you want to do some local shopping. I will probably come back to grab lunch from one of the many restaurants here (three stories filled with delicious choices!). There are also a few bakeries that offer cupcakes, crepes, pastries, and coffee if you just want an afternoon pick-me-up. When the weather turns nicer, I must eat lunch or relax upstairs on the roof garden. There weren't many tables but plentiful benches were available and it wasn't crowded at all. I'll be back for you, Crocker Galleria! Please note: - Mobile app says if you check-in via Yelp you can get a free farmer's market tote from Green Zebra printing. However, I found out they moved so I'm not sure if that's still available. -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: The idea of food trucks has its own charms and quirkiness -- who needs to go to a restaurant for lunch when you can easily pop into a hidden alleyway and pick among the tasty offerings provided by a not-so-sketchy truck? I was lured in by a friend who worked by Fifth & Minna to stop by during my lunch hour. Faithfully I trekked 10-15 mins from my office to see if I could catch one of my favorite trucks (Senor Sisig, Chairman Bao, Bacon Bacon). Alas, none of those were available! This is when I wish the OTG website would update which trucks would be at what location; sometimes it is necessary to be more logistical with lunch planning endeavors! I ended up getting a mango lassi from one of the Indian trucks and it was so-so...needed more mango flavor! Would I come back? Probably not, only because it's a long trek for me when I only have an hour for lunch (and there's already a tiny food truck alley near me on Mission and 1st). It was a novel adventure though. The perks: + Convenient lunch options for ppl working in the downtown area + Trucks are constantly rotating, so hopefully you'll find a delectable choice during Wednesday or Friday afternoons Things to note: - They run out of food/choices if you come after 1pm - There are many chairs available, but less tables which makes eating outside slightly more difficult -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: Perks of working by Montgomery BART...this Starbucks is literally right downstairs for when you need your mid-morning caffeine jolt. I stress mid-morning because it's a rather crazy wait if you come in around the 8-9am rush. I will only do that when I know I have at least 15 minutes to spare before work. About this particular location -- all the drinks are made decently. I haven't had any issues with drinks being too cold or hot, running out of ingredients, or constant misspelling of my name. I would give it 4 stars if there wasn't always a wait! (Sometimes I just give up and end up going to Peet's instead). The plus side is the staff are REALLY NICE. They will personally bring out your pastry/bagel, even when it's crowded. They will apologize if your drink is running late. The barista with the spot-on makeup (who looks like she works for Sephora) is really friendly and makes sure you get a hot sample of a drink when they're running promos. Things to note: - Long lines during peak coffee drinking times - Plenty of tables to do work, have meetings, or eat lunch - Spotty wi-fi. I always have trouble connecting via AT&T hotspot and when I turn off wi-fi, I still can't connect through my data plan. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: I am in love with almost all the body butters by The Body Shop. However, I am definitely not in love with is steep price tag! Therefore, I usually stock up about 2x a year when they're running great promos (i.e. 40-50% off everything, B1G1 deals). If a full-size body butter comes out to be less than $10, it's a steal! What I love about this location -- it's centrally situated in downtown and they have a bigger variety of goods compared to the tiny Westfield store. Even of it's crowded with tourists, they usually have at least 3 ppl manning the registers (efficient during holiday rushes!). The staff seems more friendly compared to Westfield and they are happy to recommend products and explain how you can get the best deals with a coupon/discount in conjunction with current store sales. My favorite products: + Body butters: Cocoa and Shea butters for winter (very rich, creamy, and extremely moisturizing), Mango and Satsuma butters for spring/summer (light, fruity, moisturizing) + Body scrubs: use it in the shower before shaving legs to keep skin soft and supple afterward Things to note: - If you're a student, you can get a 10% off loyalty card - Sign up for their online newsletters for updates about sales and coupons/discount codes -
Bonnie’s 2-star review: Over $5 after tax for a small cup of froyo?! No thank you. I heard great things about Pinkberry, but it was just average to me. Flavor-wise, I prefer the more acidic taste of plain tart yogurt from Yogutrland. The fruit toppings were sparse and some of my berries were frozen. I did appreciate them having both mango and strawberry juicy boba toppings. I'm still a Yogurtland girl at heart and definitely have a high preference towards self-serve froyo stores. I won't be making a second visit here because it is too overpriced. -
Bonnie’s 4-star review: Do you want a casual and quick dining option near downtown but are tired of the usual food court options? Then come to Super Duper! You can satisfy your inner carnivore (Mmm bacon cheeseburger) but veggie-minded patrons can also find something to enjoy (multiple salad options and veggie burgers). I am a fan of the MINI BURGER option...which isn't very mini at all! It was the perfect size for me, especially when getting fries on the side. Do the combo meal and you pay a little over $10 for it all. Yes, it's a little pricier for "fast" food but I believe the quality is pretty worth it. The meat is cooked medium which leaves it juicy and the bacon pieces are very big and tender. I also love their freshly squeezed LEMONADE with brown sugar and homemade pickles. Tips: + Say YES to bacon and cheese! + GARLIC FRIES are a must, even if it makes you a vampire repellent. Garlic and Parmesan cheese are the perfect combo over fries. Things to note: - This location seems to be pretty popular on a weekend night, but the turnover rate is pretty quick (much faster than Shake Shack locations in NY!). - Be prepared to share space at the communal long table with strangers. We were able to squeeze in a group of 5 with no problems - Grab extra napkins for the juicy burgers and greasy fries There is another location by my office on Market St. and I will probably have to stop by on a break for more lemonade or a chocolate dipped ice cream cone! -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: I always see people carrying the cute pink and white Cafe Madeleine bags down the street and have always wondered about what type of goodies they ordered. Is it lunch for work? A cake? Quiche? Their diverse menu shows that the options are almost endless. Since I started working nearby, I've only come here to grab a quick lunch: Cafe Madeleine has the most amazing red balsamic vinaigrette dressing for their salads. It's both tangy and sweet and I want a bottle to take home and dip French bread into it. The dressing came with the PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SALAD--a tasty option if you're looking for a more healthy lunch in the FiDi area. The balsamic vinaigrette complimented the fresh mushrooms nicely. However, the chicken breast strips were too dry and lacked flavor, even with the dressing! They also don't do substitutions in their salads (i.e. can't sub in avocado in lieu of the feta cheese). My work also ordered cakes from here before...very sweet and decadent. Due to its convenience to my office, I will come back to try some other options, such as the burrata sandwich. For salads, I will go back to Mixt Greens or Ayola. -
Bonnie’s 3-star review: This is a very modern Specialty's location compared to other ones in the area. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted with a station of iPads in the middle of the restaurant. Attached are credit card scanners so you can easily place your order without dealing with lines or cashiers. Can you say 21st century and beyond? I wish I used this feature because I spent a long time waiting for my order due to a mix-up where they gave me the wrong buzzer. However, the staff was kind in making sure I got my salad right away. Southwestern Chicken Salad...nothing to write home about, especially with so many other salad options in this area. The lettuce was a bit wilted and I was confused by the addition of chickpeas. Stick with their soup (chicken tortilla w/ herb bread) and cookies (oatmeal wheat germ chocolate FTW!). I might take advantage of their lounge area to read while I have my lunch break. I hope the location on New Montgomery gets a modern upgrade like this store.
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