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Berger knows: San Francisco
Visiting here is the tippy top; well after NY!
112 Places
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Randy’s 5-star review: What kind of a f'd up tour is this? Who doesn't remember that famous quote from The Rock, the 1996 starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris. Alcatraz Island and San Francisco are synonymous, well, along with Gay men, cable cars, wind, and chocolate from Ghirardelli. The ride from the island to the pier is approximately 10-15 minutes. What I love the most is looking back on the city once you are 5 mins out from Pier 33. It's especially breathtaking on a clear day. There is a narrated tour with headphones, I suggest taking them up on it. If you have great hair and don't want to mess it up (I can relate), volunteers & guides also offer guided programs. I like taking teens on the tour. Up close, they get a real feel of a federal prison cell, and just what it's like if they keep up their shit. Let's say, it's gives you new perspectives. Ticket Prices (as of 2/16/16). Buy online to ensure seating: ====================== Adult (18-61) $31 Junior (12-17) $31 Child (5-11) $19.25 Senior (62+) $29.25 Toddlers (0-4) free * night time tour is $3-7 more Family Tickets: No online orders. 2 Adults + 2 Children (ages 5-11) for $94.25 Tips: ==== #1: Buy online and print. Go to Pier 33 - 30 minutes prior to your Ferry departure. #2: You can stay on Alcatraz and catch anyone of the boat rides back as long as you like, 930am-640pm. Allow at least 2 1/2 hours from Pier 33 to the Rock, and back. #3: Dress warm. From a Alcatraz tours website, "The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and liable to change unexpectedly, so be prepared by bringing along a light jacket or sweater no matter how nice the day starts out. Rain gear is available for purchase at the Island's bookstores. Wear comfortable walking shoes with grip-type soles. Avoid wearing sandals, leather-soled shoes, high heels and open-toe shoes." Yes, you can get wet. Another great quote ================ By John Mason, Sean Connery's character: "I want a suite, a shower, a shave, the feel of a suit." I just had to squeeze that in. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Wanna buy weed or shrooms? You can be sure to get a hook-up here at the Park. Don't get me wrong, I love Golden Gate Park. It's majestic, super clean and well maintained, and it's smack in the middle of the city to provide free parking and goodness all around. It's just that it has a small population of druggies and homeless that kind of bring it all down for me. More on the positive, there's drum circles, a botanical garden, Japanese tea gardens, tennis courts, bike and walking trails, artist galleries, a carousal, a children's area, dog park, fly fishing, lakes, model boats, lawn bowing, soccer, and polo grounds. Truly, something for everyone. Factoid: "Modeled after New York City's Central Park, Golden Gate Park is considered by many to be the best city park in the United States. It is also the largest man-made park in the world -- at 1,017 acres and over 3 miles (50 blocks) long by 1/2 mile wide. Thirteen million people visit each year making it the third most visited park in the U.S" -
Randy’s 3-star review: FUC, no way! Personally, I don't get the whole FUCing thing. You could say, I don't give a FUC. All these chats that start up, asking for a free FUC? It takes away from the real FUC. It's nothing more than a fake FUC! It's best when the FUCing occurs when it's a real FUC. If one really wants to FUC, great! Sometimes you just want a F, other times a U, and sometimes a C...but only if you really, really want it, and need it...should you FUC. Sometimes after I eat pizza or see a movie, I like to FUC. Sometimes it's a play. Sometimes just for the heck of it, I FUC. FUC it, I say. FUC it. PS. I have no pictures. -
Randy’s 5-star review: Favorite breakfast in San Francisco! Seriously, this is Disneyland people, the SF version. You may wait 30-45 minutes, or even an hour. So, go just a little while before you are starved, and you'll be just fine. If you want something quick -- this is not for you, so please -- just get out of my way! The lines are long, it's fun, you meet and chat with people, you make new friends, and with anticipation as you get closer to the entry -- you can start peeking inside at people ordering, eating, and -- let the salivation begin! Absolutely picturesque pancakes or french toast with beautiful blueberries and strawberries, baked muffins, omelette's (and an excuse to have home potatoes), weekend specials like Dungeness Crab Benedict. Special mention of pure bliss: The Monte Cristo. They also serve lunch with burgers, sandwiches, quiches, salads, and other items -- but I don't have room to eat lunch after their big breakfast! -
Randy’s 4-star review: I have no choice. Fog City Diner should be renamed to "Fog City Magnet" because it's near impossible for me to NOT come here if I'm in the area - it pulls me right in, and the "diner" part is a bit of a farse, anyhow (looks like a diner, but it is not). Of course, SF is one of the best culinary cities in the world with all kinds of choices...but still, it's hard for me to resist an upscale "diner" with beautiful wines, and some of the best food EVER, but you will not find the standards: cheesesteaks, steak and eggs, pancake stack, etc. The prices may set you back some, but the quality of the food is more closely aligned to that found in the fine dining category. My must have recommendations: 1. Farmhouse cheddar biscuits ($5.25) - served w/rosemary apple brown butter 2. Clam Chowder ($9.75) w/potatoes and smoked bacon 3. Cioppino ($24.50) - dungeness crab, shrimp, mussels, clams, pacific fish, white wine tomato sauce 4. Chicken Schnitzel ($18.95) - roasted garlic mashed potatoes and lemon caper butter ...can you believe I've never tried a burger? In the archive, they used to have an unreal Meatloaf, too. Bring it back! Service over the years has always been consistently professional, efficient, yet casual in nature...and gets more formal into the evening hours. Which seems very appropriate as from day to night it turns from business lunches to dates. Be back soon. Muah! -
Randy’s 4-star review: Seared ahi tuna sandwich...spicy fries...and a passion fruit iced tea. That's one spectatular lunch! Totally cute place on one of my favorite streets in the city, Chestnut. Surrounded by all kids of great shops, bakeries, and other cafes -- this place offers some healthier items with fish, some chicken and even some beef -- salads, bowls, tacos, and sandwiches. If you are feeling a little naughty for some fried stuff -- fish and chips -- and it looked so good. Great, friendly service. Small amount of tables (10ish inside, and 2-3 outside), still, I was able to get a great spot at 1230pm on a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon. There's 4 locations in the city, hunt them out...it's quality food and well priced. -
Randy’s 4-star review: One of the swankiest places...EVER. Like, EVER!!! Front desk is very professional yet youthful. This is where the money's spent: super cool lobby, bar, lounge area, game area, and dining. In fact, the lobby bar, The Redwood, has DJ's and is super hip and loud. Where it's not spent: the rooms. Spacious, but blank walls in my 2 bedroom suite -- felt like grandma's through and through. The bathroom has been upgraded with a new sink and toilet, but shower was the original...very bad tile and grout. Would I stay here again - likely. Word of caution - do not go left out of the hotel. Very bad area, lots of homeless. Go right instead, and head towards Union Square. -
Randy’s 4-star review: This place, The Alembic, is very worthy of someone's time. Yes, mine specifically. A bit random of a stop-in, I was feeling a little letdown of the famed Haight/Ashbury area, and I needed a drink. With several bars to choose from, I popped into The Alembic, and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. I expected DIVE bar. Rather, it's rather HIPSTER in the front bar area, and FANCY PANTS / TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL for food in the back. The bar: rustic and woody feature cool, no-nonsense, professional yet casual, bartenders. I'd label this a whiskey bar, but it also has craft drafts. They often have specials, a draft brew + a shot for $13-20. That's cool, and yummy (and this, I partook / obliged). The food: I didn't try, but captured a couple of photos for my yelp peeps. For the majority, it's a little too out there for me (or the everyday guy): jerk spiced duck hearts, tea smoked rabbit, hog tail, and lesser (and doable): squash tots (yes, squash not potato), and hazelnut cured lamb sugo. After all, shouldn't there be a burger or two on the menu? The bottom-line: whiskey - yes; drafts - yes; both - yes. Add a burger -- yes. -
Randy’s 4-star review: I generally like Macy's. But far and above the heap, the NY and SF stores standout. NY #1. SF #2. Why? ==== Location. Men's store. Gorgeous. Awesome merchandisers. Huge Selection. Christmas Tree Lighting. Free and metered parking can be a nightmare on the street, so do yourself a favor, and walk and/or take public transportation. You'll be sure to have a shopping extravaganza. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Anything and everything is available from shirts to electronics to art to a 55-gallon of Lubricant, and more. The creation of the Amazon "Prime" service has taking ordering online from easy to addiction, and in a very good way. With the American way at its finest, it's competition to the max giving us, the buyer, options for price, quality, and quantity at our fingertips. With Amazon "Prime", it's free shipping. Deliveries are most often within 2 days, sometimes same day and even Sundays. How does the post office work on Sundays? They do. Best yet, if you don't like it or the product doesn't meet your needs, or it's broken upon arrival -- return it for free! Hallelujah. How can you go wrong here? With my busy schedule, I use the service all-the-time. How about you? Downside: If you should need customer service, it can be a little frustrating, but they are well-intended. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Flixter and Rotten Tomatoes have merged into the same backend. Write reviews on one, and you can see it on the other. They've been bagged with low ratings because of the UV (Ultra-Violet) collection, lost or whatnot. Sorry! But for movie reviews, this has it going on. [CONNECT WITH ME] Flixter: http://www.flixster.com/user/835409247 Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/835409247/ I did an analysis of the 3 majors, and I share it with my Yelp community: [WINNER] Rotten Tomatoes and Flixter: have 1500+ movie ratings and reviews already written/posted, and going strong. Able to post to twitter & Facebook, with better visibility than most; better exposure to reviews as it's now twice the audience. Downside? None. Best chance for exposure to big/critics. [ELIMINATED] Fandango: really like the 5-stage "OH NO!" to "MUST GO!" rating system. Interfaces well with Facebook & Twitter ; Great total scoring algorithm; Common Sense rating for parents/children; includes Metacritic. Great overall site: see showtimes, get tickets, see reviews, tons of professional reviews, and good visibility for user reviews. [ELIMINATED] movietickets.com: only 1 featured critic review (Hollywood.com), but a wonderful user review section with categories that individually can be rated 1-5, and summed up into pros & cons (Dialogue, Special Effects, Art Direction, Acting, Story, Camerawork. great actors, great story, well paced, action, cinematography, slow; too complex; action scenes moved too quickly; bad storyline; fast action scenes)
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Randy’s 4-star review: I like UberEats. I don't use it often, but when in SF and on travel business, it's a convenient delivery to my hotel room. And, while I don't like much the $4.99 extra "Booking Fee", it is a convenient delivery charge for a wider area than Eat24 or the like. Many more restaurants are available. So.... Positives: ------------- * Nice interface to order from, and find the location/status of your order. On a map with GPS, you can see when your food is on the way...and an estimated time is updated when/if the delivery is going to be different than the original time estimate. * Many more restaurants available, some big time ones. Might be delivered not as warm as if you ordered in-person, but you save time, effort, and parking fees! Negatives: -------------- * The aforementioned delivery fee under the guise of "Booking" -
Randy’s 4-star review: Busy little place. Do they pump in wood smell? It truly smells like wood. Albeit, very nice and warm service. Thumbs way up. Joe's Special ($12.50) -- beautiful plate. Large portion, very fresh, delicious. Fresh spinach, mushrooms, and ground beef were used. Crisp hash browns. (4.5 stars) It's a diner, aged but a relatively clean one, worthy of your shiny nickel. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Okay, all Chinese people eating in it. Authentic? Check. Almost all the tables were eating Geoduck. Yep, don't look at the pics cause you won't like it. http://www.seatechcorp.com/assets/images/argentine_geoduck.jpg Besides this, they have the typical selection, and the typical selection is what I got! 1. Chicken Fried Rice ($6.95) -- Good, but not great. Fairly small, but for the price, it's okay...but it's a half-portion compared to others. The rice, itself, was not high quality. (3.5 stars) 2. Mixed Vegetables w/Shrimp ($9.95) -- medium shrimp, not a large portion. Good, but again, not great. (3.5 stars) 3. Eggplant With Shrimp Sauce ($7.95) -- outstanding. Slivers of eggplant, grilled flavor, awesome. (5.0 stars) Busy, busy place. The service was a mix of okay to great. Tag team format, some very short near rude in conversation, other with mixed English, while others were extremely nice. The décor was the done in the typical Chinese-style with no surprises -- red and gold artwork that could be, and has been, purchased anywhere. Still, I'm a fan. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Super small, 10-12 unique flavors, they kind of had me in their pocket with real spoons used for tasters (...and tastings I had!). Ended up with Egg Nog, and wow -- the scoop was super creamy and super delish. I somehow missed having some "nog" during the holidays, and this solved a craving. Not much of an experience, 6 chairs by the window, but ever so good ice cream. APPROVED by this inspector. -
Randy’s 4-star review: This Forever 21 has everything! Multiple floors, it's the second nicest F21 location to the Vegas strip. What I like about it -- great men's apparel. A bra from the ladies department playing hoochie-coochie with a pair of mens socks? On the contrary! This F21 is neat and organized. While I didn't find anything in the Men's department, the store is absolutely HUGE. Am I too old to find anything at Forever 21? Never. If this F21 is not enough, there is another location on Powell a couple of blocks over. Bring it! -
Randy’s 4-star review: Whatever happened to that song, "It's raining men. Hallelujah"? I don't know what that means, but whatever. Can't say we're 5.0 stars, but 4.0 stars is a fair grade. Some men definitely give us a bad name -- they'll lie, steal, and cheat with your best girlfriend. But I personally know too many great men -- father types -- that have integrity, always put family first, and are wonderful mentors to others. Still, if you can, I'd recommend to get a puppy instead. In general, men are clueless when it comes to women -- but that's a whole 'nother topic. -
Randy’s 4-star review: This plain white box of a eatery is hardly an empire, that's for branding, it's more like "Dumpling Diner", "Plain White D", "Dumpling, Soup and Stuff", or simply, "Dumplings". The industrial drop ceiling is tethered, an older lady is making dumplings at a table, and the "empire" is dressed up with a simple gold clock on the main wall. Busy busy. Line out the door. A little bit of a wait for service, but the girl is like an octopus, answering phone, taking orders, clearing tables, serving -- what can't she do? Smile? She does that to. #LIKE Normal formalities do not exist. It's assumed you want hot tea. If you ask for something cold, only a few sodas are offered, and if taken, out of the can without a glass. 1. Pork Dumping with Cabbage ($5.95, 12 pcs) - doughy and unfried, the pork is extremely lean and delicious. 2. Beef Dumpling with Carrot ($5.95, 12 pcs) - tasty for sure, but not as lean and the carrot makes the dumpling not as smooth (even though it sounds great!). Now, to be clear, I am the Dumpling King of the Empire, and can normally eat 20-25 dumplings if given the opportunity. This visit, only 11 - filling and large. In summary, it's good dumplings but not amazing. They are a bit doughy to be great, but beats a kick in the head, and the price - fantastic. -
Randy’s 2-star review: First, know that it is in month 2 of a 6 month (or more) renovation, and good Lord, it needed it. It's 1980's all around, but mostly it's the rooms that bothered me...very dated and dusty (albeit, good-sized with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom). When I stayed here 5 years before, and believe it can once again be a quality hotel. It's 2.5 miles north of the SFO airport with free shuttle service, and centrally located just 10 miles south of the city -- easy peasy! STINKY/DOWNER -- From 6am-9am, all I could odor from grille in my room. Because of the open setting of this (and all Embassy's), the smell is only delightful when it is the grease from your bacon and sausage cooking, not for hundreds of other guests. COCKTAILS!/HAPPY HOUR -- Each weekday from 530p-730p, free drinks and light apps (chips & salsa, carrots & broccoli, pretzel mix). DINING -- The all-you-can devour breakfast is included, which is great, but this is probably my least favorite of the other 8 Embassy suites I've stayed at throughout the USA. Few selections to choose from, but they do have eggs & pancakes made to order. From 6am-9am (M-F), and 7am-1030am (Weekends/Holidays). There is also a little dining restaurant & bar, but not a name place. It seems the main function is to cook and deliver room-service. This could be an improvement in the future, and keep more customer dollars in-house. -
Randy’s 3-star review: Debbie Downer. It was okay, I liked the experience, but I won't likely go back. Honest opinion and against the 4.5 star grain. Let me explain. 1. Lower than my expectations, it's a casual bar below (and tiny and open kitchen), and up the stairs in a loft, small 8 table seating. The feel is if you are in upstairs at someone's house. True, it was cozy and charming, but not deluxe or upscale in anyway. 2. The hostess/bartender and the waiter both had heavy French accents, so that was nice. But dressed very casually in jeans, was again, below my expectations. 3. It's casual modern French cuisine. The menu is very small, and does not any feature any traditional dishes, perhaps seasonal or daily, but this menu on this day did not have chicken or beef -- my preferences. 4 apps, 4 entrees. 4. My order: seasonal greens (shishito peppers, really, French?) were cooked well, but unexciting and far from great (3.0 stars, $8). Chickpea Fries (panisses) sounds so good, but they were thick and tasted like polenta. I'll take my fried calories elsewhere (2.0 stars, $8). The small Spring Salad with pecans and running egg yolk as dressing was interesting but nice (4.0 stars, $10). The Pork Shoulder was very tender, but I could have used much more of the little bit of side vegies ($28, 4.0 stars). The salmon was the highlight of the night, caramelized on one side, cooked to perfection ($28, 5.0 stars). The dessert with a big description, was very pretty, tasted as if it was concocted from cool whip ($11, 2.0 stars). All in all, nice experience but not going back.
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Randy’s 3-star review: Salivating on the window is not welcomed, but it happens very often. A bread factory in-action. Absolutely love it, fantasies comes true. Kind of like a 50 Shades of Bread. Downstairs, a moderate café and touristy store, where you can dawn a Boudin cap or apron, or pin, or, or, or. Upstairs, a full-fledged restaurant and bar. Thus, the Bistro. A modern yet traditional design. Built like a airplane hangar with very tall rafters: metal, wood, and glass. The thing to get here is the Clam chowder in a bread bowl for $15.95. Of course, with warm bread and butter served while the food is prepared, I lacked control and got near full before the soup was delivered. Well, almost. The chowder was super creamy, very white, and mostly consisted of the cream and potato, light on the clams. It was good, not great. The service was suberb. Nice, warm, and funny server named Gerard. Kudos Gerard! Would I go back? Sure. But not before I ate Chowder at one the other 432 places nearby. It was $42 for 2 soups and 2 iced teas...ouch! -
Randy’s 3-star review: This is the poorman's version of a San Francisco hotel. Located near Pharmaceutical Way, it's decorated simply with framed posters in the halls, and the lobby is very small. The hotel room is for short-term stays complete with kitchen, but all in all, its certainly not deluxe. It's certainly comes up short in comparison with nearby hotels, Hilton and Embassy Suites. Good things: ========== 1. Free Transportation in a 1-3 mile radius. Of course, the driver wasn't available when I needed them, but still. 2. Free breakfast. Nothing beats free, but it was packaged pastries and loose fruit, coffee's and tea's. Not great. 3. Reasonably priced. For $139, it's a good value. 4. Clean. That's the main thing. 5. Pretty good size indoor pool, and fitness room. -
Randy’s 3-star review: It's a "must go" for tourists, but a "no way Jose" for locals. I go every 3-5 years because I forget how touristy it can be. Maybe now with a written Yelp review, I will be reminded to prevent a reoccurrence. Parking is a mess, expect to pay over $20 for 2-4 hours, more for longer. The only thing worthy that I don't tire of, you ask? Sea Lions. They lay around on floating wooden platforms on the leftside near the end of the pier. They yawn, sleep, stretch, hug, and make this most adorable barking sound. -
Randy’s 2-star review: Sure, I like the old school feel...and the best part of the place is the attentive service by both the waitress and hostess. But sorry to report, this is highly mediocre at best. SOUNDED GOOD I ordered the chicken parmesan: $19. Pretty cool that it was a complete meal, and offered with entree: soup or salad, and 2 sides with a variety of choices, ranging from vegies, polenta, pastas & several choices of sauce. BUT NOT SO GOOD The chicken parm was thick and not crisp (pound it like you mean it, and crisp that thing up!), the marinara sauce was plain and not seasoned enough. The vegies were delicious, especially with loads of butter it's cooked in (heart attack!). The pasta w/meat sauce was edible, but the oil or fat from the meat was not drained, and it was soupy and oily tasting. The dinner salad was fine, and nicely chilled. Best thing on the plate was the mozzarella atop the chicken parm - it was fantastic and the real deal. CONCLUSION While there isn't much other dining choices in South San Francisco that I'm aware of, I would definitely recommend trying somewhere else. Sorry Bertolucci's, you don't get my vote. -
Randy’s 4-star review: I was a casual user before Yelp acquired, and a casual user after. Nothing has greatly changed, but the integration with Yelp user reviews is great. You can literally order for pickup, or delivery, at any restaurant in the good ol' USA. The standout? It's got unreal customer service. Upon the order, you get confirmation emails. If you have a change, or question, or wonder where you're darn food is, you can write via the app, the email, or call them...and they seek and destroy until the issue is resolved. Top notch. I've used the service a handful of times for personal, but a half dozen times for corporate meetings or functions, and it's really worked for me. Recommend.
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Randy’s 3-star review: If business bring you here, it's a solid run-of-the-mill hotel. Nothing extraordinary, and nothing wrong with, per say. Allow me to elaborate. Positives: ======== * free airport shuttle to/from SFO * if are you driving, free parking * smallish hotel * nice little cafe on premises * comfortable rooms * free Internet * along a small body of water, Oyster Point * 3.5 mile jogging/walking trail * 24 hour fitness facility Negatives: ========= * not good dining choices, whether local walking or nearby. Foodies beware! * rooms are a bit outdated. Not deluxe in anyway. Conclusion: ========= For business around the area, this is my 4th or 5th choice of hotel. For personal, there's nothing much around. It's 10+ miles from downtown San Francisco, so if you plan to spend most of your time there, I'd look for a hotel closer. -
Randy’s 5-star review: Industrial classroom, communal table (for us students), and 6 chairs facing the windows (for the naughty boys and girls). Shelves and cabinets built alongside and behind the L-shape counter. Behind said counter is where the magic happens. The highest-tech coffee equipment that squeeze and juice beans of coffee. Wonderful service by intelligent and service-oriented types, albeit tattooed and nose-ring wearing. They open daily at 630am. Sunday morning, I can tell you that a regular stream of folks saunter in. By 8am, a line starts to form but you can still find a seat inside to sit. By 830am, it's 15 deep and standing room only. And, it gets worse. $8 coffees! How about $14 for a large? Really? Well, not all. $3.75 and up for remarkable brews. Everyone talks about the $4 New Orleans Iced Coffee, and yes, they appears worthy. Colombian Limited Release [$4.75 for 8 oz, 4.5 stars] - sweet, dark, and robust, unlike any Colombian coffee I've ever had (it's not Yuban). That, along with a thick spread of Avocado Toast [$9, 5.0 stars] and I was very happy (and awake). They know what they're doing here, mixing science + service + quality quite successfully. Sign me up. -
Randy’s 4-star review: Out with the old, and in with the new -- New Ming's right at ya. 2 short blocks from Yelp corporate - talk about performance anxiety!?! Casual, and well-priced. Thumbs up. At lunch, it's a fast food haven. At the counter, a dozen already made items built for 2 item combos, rice or noodles, and your outta there. At night, the ladies spend a little time with a daily makeover -- covering up the fast food counter and the signage, and dimming the lights. Getting the nice dinner menus ready and primed for service. What you have at New Ming's is a hassle-free, authentic Chinese place. Look around? Chinese people eating here! One mark of, it's gotta be good! Perhaps it's the other menu items that draw in the ethnic locals, all kinds of soups, noodle dishes, and things with pork intestines and frogs. For me, I was tame (and timid), I went for dinner. I tried the Spicy Beef Noodle [$10.95, 4.0 stars] & Salt & Pepper Prawn [$12.95, 4.5 stars] -- both are officially on delicious notice. If the food is not enough, Paula will delight you with conversation. Food, yes, but SF city, she's is know-it-all (in a good way!). -
Randy’s 3-star review: Two floors filled to capacity. A 25-45 min wait on the most dim-summy days and nights. It's probably why Obama's been here, for take-out -- busy man couldn't wait. If you ask around "dim sum", everyone will tell you Great Eastern. Perhaps it's a tourist destination, but less for locals. Neither have the expected carts to order from. Instead, it's ordering off the menu like a Chinese place would. There's a difference in experience between the two floors: * Upstairs: kings and queens, presidents (if he were to stay), diplomats, and celebrities. * Downstairs: me & gf. We tried a badonka amount of dim sum dishes, too many or embarrassing to list out. Best to say, good not great. The XLB (normally my fav), were the worst, gummy and soupless. The Great Eastern is not that great, after all. Service was minimal and lacked any personality. There's got to be better. -
Randy’s 3-star review: This Hampton Inn is in SoMa, South of Market. Kinda ghetto for this stretch of the area. Heavy homeless population. Know that going into it. Basically, do not go right out of the hotel. To the left, Market street with all the shops you could want and the entry to Union Square. Once you're in the hotel lobby, it's hard to find a problem. Very nice and efficient staff, super clean, and modern. The rooms were small but had everything I needed, and the breakfast buffet in the morning was fine. Everywhere and everything was like brand new. Why 3 stars? The location, and $62 parking fee per night with ZERO feasible alternative options. P.S. Special "shout out" to the ice cream man. About a dozen varieties are available in the lobby -- score! P.S.S. A Blue Bottle coffeehouse is next store, and it's fantastic. https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-san-francisco-21?hrid=aWW64aovs4KcomagF4kETA&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
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