Comments for Check, Please! Bay Area http://blogs.kqed.org/food Restaurant Reviews by Bay Area Foodies Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:42:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Pacific Café: Reviews by michael beltran http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2006/11/02/pacific-cafe-reviews/#comment-11771 michael beltran Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:12:12 +0000 http://mail1.kqed.org/wpmu/food/2006/11/02/pacific-cafe-reviews/#comment-11771 Pacific Cafe is still a great place to dine in the city. They are open to people bringing their own bottles of good wine. Food is fresh and always well prepared. A great place to bring people visiting the city. Get there on time and enjoy the Museum and views just a short distance away. I have gone there for the past 25 yrs. on and off and remains a SF star. Pacific Cafe is still a great place to dine in the city. They are open to people bringing their own bottles of good wine. Food is fresh and always well prepared. A great place to bring people visiting the city. Get there on time and enjoy the Museum and views just a short distance away. I have gone there for the past 25 yrs. on and off and remains a SF star.

]]> Comment on Acquerello: Reviews by Martin Pollard http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2009/04/30/acquerello-reviews/#comment-11769 Martin Pollard Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:38:01 +0000 http://blogs.kqed.org/food/?p=1693#comment-11769 I just went to Acquerello for our 29th wedding anniversary. It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in many years. The ambiance was romantic. The service was impeccable. The food was perfect at every course. This is a special occasion restaurant. I plan to return. I just went to Acquerello for our 29th wedding anniversary. It was one of the best dining experiences I've had in many years. The ambiance was romantic. The service was impeccable. The food was perfect at every course. This is a special occasion restaurant. I plan to return.

]]> Comment on Sociale: Restaurant Info by Niles Helmboldt http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2007/03/29/sociale-restaurant-info/#comment-11768 Niles Helmboldt Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:50:57 +0000 http://mail1.kqed.org/wpmu/food/2007/03/29/sociale-restaurant-info/#comment-11768 I had lamb at Sociale about 1 1/2 year ago and it was rotten! The meat seemed to have been defrosted and then refrozen. It smelled so bad that after one bite I thought that I would be sick. The restaurant did not charge me for the lamb BUT it smelled so bad that I am surprised it made it out of the Kitchen. It smelled so bad that there was little question that there was issue with the meat. It leaves one asking if the problem was with management. EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK! I had lamb at Sociale about 1 1/2 year ago and it was rotten! The meat seemed to have been defrosted and then refrozen. It smelled so bad that after one bite I thought that I would be sick. The restaurant did not charge me for the lamb BUT it smelled so bad that I am surprised it made it out of the Kitchen. It smelled so bad that there was little question that there was issue with the meat. It leaves one asking if the problem was with management. EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

]]> Comment on Season 1: Episode Roundup by Jennifer Nelson http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2006/05/10/season-1-episode-roundup/#comment-11767 Jennifer Nelson Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:37:01 +0000 http://mail1.kqed.org/wpmu/food/2006/05/10/season-1-episode-roundup/#comment-11767 Please keep this show on the air. I am so fond of it that I usually have my PDA with me to quickly jot down the restaurants that I would like to visit. I even add some of the comments of your guests to help me remember why I am interested in eating there. KQED, Check please, thank you for a terrific program! Please keep this show on the air. I am so fond of it that I usually have my PDA with me to quickly jot down the restaurants that I would like to visit. I even add some of the comments of your guests to help me remember why I am interested in eating there. KQED, Check please, thank you for a terrific program!

]]> Comment on Check, Please! Bay Area: Season 3: Episode 3 (#303) by LolaX http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2008/04/18/check-please-bay-area-season-3-episode-3-303/#comment-11764 LolaX Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:25:22 +0000 http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2008/04/18/check-please-bay-area-season-3-episode-3-303/#comment-11764 Wow, can't get a more appropriate last name for anyone than "Older" for that Jules guy. Why does Check Please always have to have some old pompous, judgmental geezer like that on every episode??? Wow, can't get a more appropriate last name for anyone than "Older" for that Jules guy. Why does Check Please always have to have some old pompous, judgmental geezer like that on every episode???

]]> Comment on Central Market: Reviews by Ron Robertson http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2007/11/15/central-market-reviews/#comment-11763 Ron Robertson Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:26:43 +0000 http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2007/11/15/central-market-reviews/#comment-11763 I've eaten at Central Market more times than I can count, both with small parties (2 people) on up to 6 or 8 people. It has always been terrific. The one thing they used to have and haven't for quite some time is the Quail. If they ever bring that back, get it! It was far and away the best quail I've ever had, and I miss it! Well worth going to any time, you're almost guaranteed to have a great experience for a fair price. I've eaten at Central Market more times than I can count, both with small parties (2 people) on up to 6 or 8 people. It has always been terrific. The one thing they used to have and haven't for quite some time is the Quail. If they ever bring that back, get it! It was far and away the best quail I've ever had, and I miss it! Well worth going to any time, you're almost guaranteed to have a great experience for a fair price.

]]> Comment on Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen: Reviews by Andie Shepherd http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2008/04/18/angelines-louisiana-kitchen-reviews/#comment-11754 Andie Shepherd Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:57:18 +0000 http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2008/04/18/angelines-louisiana-kitchen-reviews/#comment-11754 STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY I went to Angelina's with my wife and two friends two weeks ago, it was absolutely mediocre. We spent $150 for the four of us and tried a broad sample of their menu. By the way, the menu is phenominal, it reads like everyhting you always wanted to try from New Orleans ( We've been four times). Our server was sweet but bored and it took FOREVER to get menus and each course. Of everything we tried only the oyster hors douvre and hush puppies were outstanding. The fried chicken was good - but why would anyone want fried chicken in a New Orleans style restaurant. You can do this one at home blindfolded. I don't go to specialty resstaurants for meatloaf or fried chicken. We ordered iced tea (Angeline's style). It was so loaded with suger it was undrinkable. We were offered a partial refill in the first glass with unsweetened tea. There was less sugar but it was still way too sweet and had so little tea flavor we swapped for lemonade, MIdway through the meal our server asked if I wanted a refill, which I got. Then she charged me for a second glass of lemonade. For us, this is not a refill it's another drink. Minor but arrogant and annoying. We ordered Jambalaya, Fried Chicken, Mixed Grill and Shrimp Platter. The Jambalaya was just a bowl of undercooked rice in sauce (not very interesting sauce at that) with a sliced Andouille sausage dropped on top. My wife wasn't interested in eating it and I took it home. I didn't eat it either. Can't give it to the dog, just gotta dump it in the round file. I had the mixed grill and EVERYTHING on my plate was OVERCOOKED and TOUGH> Did I say TOUGH? The shrimp were past rubbery, the ribs may have been around since Saturday (we went on Sunday at 6 pm). My Andouille sausage was so tough it was (no exageration folks) a real challenge to cut - nevermind chew. My good friend had a shrimp plate and his shrimp were also rubbery. The sauce was pretty good. The Fried Chicken got a thumbs up from both my wife and her friend. The portions were more like squab than a healthy chicken. The sides for everyone were just plain uninteresting and average. Disappointing. We ordered 3 deserts: Two Bananas Foster Bread Pudding and Berry pie. The pie crust was not worth eating (it was also tough and hard) and the pudding was a cubed lump of banana like bread filling, cooked once again to a rubbery finish. Voila! Touchdown! Our server never asked about our food and was so far out of sight I never saw her until she brought another course. She poped in and out like a soccer player - whoosh. Just before we left the owner or manager, a tall guy with glasses and dark hair, came over after I motioned to him. I described the state of the shrimp for two of our diners. His comment was "You should have told me sooner when I could have done something about it". He was right in my face and accusitory. My mouth must have been wide open. I am seldom at a loss for words but I just sat there and watched him walk away. No laughs at our table. Everyone was angry, insulted and couldn't wait to get the heck out of the place. If only - HE WAS NOWHERE IN SIGHT for the hour and a half we were there until just as we paid the check. There was a line at the door to get in for our entire meal. Maybe the owner oughta drop by when it's that busy. The dining room needed supervision as obviously so did the kitchen. We all found the experience at Angelina's Kitchen a complete disappointment. Unlike the diners on Check Please (which we absolutely love) I once again echo my opening comment.... STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY. Note: I am a retired restauranteur. I have owned upscale restaurants in Denver, Aspen and three in San Francisco. I have always made EVERY EFFORT to give each and every customer more that he/she expected. I believe in being on the dining room floor as much as humanly possible and chatting with each table. The owner/manager at Angeline's is succeeding in spite of himself and he has cemented our resolve to never cross through their door again. Oh yes, If I didn't say so earlier........... STAY AWAY. STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY

I went to Angelina's with my wife and two friends two weeks ago, it was absolutely mediocre. We spent $150 for the four of us and tried a broad sample of their menu. By the way, the menu is phenominal, it reads like everyhting you always wanted to try from New Orleans ( We've been four times).

Our server was sweet but bored and it took FOREVER to get menus and each course.

Of everything we tried only the oyster hors douvre and hush puppies were outstanding. The fried chicken was good - but why would anyone want fried chicken in a New Orleans style restaurant. You can do this one at home blindfolded. I don't go to specialty resstaurants for meatloaf or fried chicken.

We ordered iced tea (Angeline's style). It was so loaded with suger it was undrinkable. We were offered a partial refill in the first glass with unsweetened tea. There was less sugar but it was still way too sweet and had so little tea flavor we swapped for lemonade, MIdway through the meal our server asked if I wanted a refill, which I got. Then she charged me for a second glass of lemonade. For us, this is not a refill it's another drink. Minor but arrogant and annoying.

We ordered Jambalaya, Fried Chicken, Mixed Grill and Shrimp Platter.

The Jambalaya was just a bowl of undercooked rice in sauce (not very interesting sauce at that) with a sliced Andouille sausage dropped on top. My wife wasn't interested in eating it and I took it home. I didn't eat it either. Can't give it to the dog, just gotta dump it in the round file.

I had the mixed grill and EVERYTHING on my plate was OVERCOOKED and TOUGH> Did I say TOUGH? The shrimp were past rubbery, the ribs may have been around since Saturday (we went on Sunday at 6 pm). My Andouille sausage was so tough it was (no exageration folks) a real challenge to cut - nevermind chew.

My good friend had a shrimp plate and his shrimp were also rubbery. The sauce was pretty good.

The Fried Chicken got a thumbs up from both my wife and her friend. The portions were more like squab than a healthy chicken.

The sides for everyone were just plain uninteresting and average. Disappointing.

We ordered 3 deserts: Two Bananas Foster Bread Pudding and Berry pie. The pie crust was not worth eating (it was also tough and hard) and the pudding was a cubed lump of banana like bread filling, cooked once again to a rubbery finish.

Voila! Touchdown!

Our server never asked about our food and was so far out of sight I never saw her until she brought another course. She poped in and out like a soccer player - whoosh.

Just before we left the owner or manager, a tall guy with glasses and dark hair, came over after I motioned to him. I described the state of the shrimp for two of our diners. His comment was "You should have told me sooner when I could have done something about it". He was right in my face and accusitory.

My mouth must have been wide open. I am seldom at a loss for words but I just sat there and watched him walk away. No laughs at our table. Everyone was angry, insulted and couldn't wait to get the heck out of the place.

If only - HE WAS NOWHERE IN SIGHT for the hour and a half we were there until just as we paid the check. There was a line at the door to get in for our entire meal. Maybe the owner oughta drop by when it's that busy.

The dining room needed supervision as obviously so did the kitchen.

We all found the experience at Angelina's Kitchen a complete disappointment. Unlike the diners on Check Please (which we absolutely love) I once again echo my opening comment….

STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY - STAY AWAY.

Note: I am a retired restauranteur. I have owned upscale restaurants in Denver, Aspen and three in San Francisco. I have always made EVERY EFFORT to give each and every customer more that he/she expected. I believe in being on the dining room floor as much as humanly possible and chatting with each table.

The owner/manager at Angeline's is succeeding in spite of himself and he has cemented our resolve to never cross through their door again.

Oh yes, If I didn't say so earlier……….. STAY AWAY.

]]> Comment on Joe's of Westlake: Reviews by D. Buxton http://blogs.kqed.org/food/2009/05/22/joes-of-westlake-reviews/#comment-11733 D. Buxton Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:38:56 +0000 http://blogs.kqed.org/food/?p=2040#comment-11733 I love old-style food, cocktails and jazz. Joes disappointed on every count. Seated in the "Cascade" room, the service, ambience and food was the quality of a third rate rest home. Completely inattentive server and bussers, salads drowning in bottled dressings, house wine direct from the box. Entrees like the sole were inedible fritters sitting in grease, partially reheated "prime rib" (dry, sad and tasteless), only our guest who had the meat sauce spaghetti had anything nice to say about it. Condiments came in their original supermarket containers, slapped on the table - sorry we asked. There was no music playing in the beige, featureless dining hall room which perfectly matched the unpleasant, beige food. Bulk portions and memories of better days do not make up for such a disappointing experience. We will never return. I love old-style food, cocktails and jazz. Joes disappointed on every count. Seated in the "Cascade" room, the service, ambience and food was the quality of a third rate rest home. Completely inattentive server and bussers, salads drowning in bottled dressings, house wine direct from the box. Entrees like the sole were inedible fritters sitting in grease, partially reheated "prime rib" (dry, sad and tasteless), only our guest who had the meat sauce spaghetti had anything nice to say about it. Condiments came in their original supermarket containers, slapped on the table - sorry we asked. There was no music playing in the beige, featureless dining hall room which perfectly matched the unpleasant, beige food. Bulk portions and memories of better days do not make up for such a disappointing experience. We will never return.

]]>