Thứ Hai, 21 tháng 11, 2011

Tim Gullicksen Review

My partner and I moved to SF from Atlanta just over two years ago, and after about a year we decided to begin looking for a home to purchase. Initially we started with a small real estate firm that had opened up at the corner of Sanchez and Henry Streets, and though we were initially charmed, we quickly grew tired of the two owner/agents pushing properties at us that were either a) out of our price range or b) shit.

Sometimes shortly after we met Tim, and lo! how our world was changed. After one afternoon of viewing several properties with Tim he quickly honed in on our tastes, our likes and our needs from a property. Even though the search continued for MONTHS, Tim would always notify us of any interesting properties newly listed. Never once did he come off as impatient, nor did he ever push us towards properties that were off target in order to get a quick sale.

Think of that: a real estate agent who actually WANTS to help you find the right home. WTF?

Once we locked in on two properties we were seriously interested in Tim's true skills came out. Whether he is researching past sales of the property or scrutinizing the sale price in comparison to comps in the area, Tim left my partner and I feeling VERY secure and informed every step of the way. 

And oh, what a negotiator. I have no poker face, so it was great having such a deft agent in our corner. 

End of story: we got an awesome deal on a BEAUTIFUL property that I'm certain we will make a great profit on when Tim sells it for us down the line. I won't even look at another agent. No, not after our time with Tim. 

Thanks Tim - seriously!!!

Zephyr Real Estate
2523 California St

San FranciscoCA 94115
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
(415) 370-5277

Italian-American Social Club of San Francisco Review

I think I should be an honorary member of the Italian American Social Club, I've been coming here for years celebrating births, deaths and marriages with good Italian Food and Vino. This is my family's event hall.

The first time I remember coming was for my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Running around chasing my cousins around tables, dancing and eating all of the antipasto off the buffet. What can I say I was a sucker for cheese, olives and cold cuts then too.

Skip later in life to family dinner get-together's, mother's day, father's day and my mother's wedding, my late uncle Bruce worked there, so it was almost like the place to go to bring the whole family together. 

Even when my grandmother died last year, we brought the after service dinner there. It was fitting for our family and the food is great.

So this time around, when my Mom asked if I wanted to be her plus one to her work retirement dinner, I opted in. The food is good and the service is great. I always see the familiar faces. 

Coming back always brings me right back to those memories of being a kid and growing up in the city.

25 Russia Ave
(between Mission St & London St)
San FranciscoCA 94112
Neighborhood: Excelsior
(415) 585-8059

Salt House Review

Very good food and extremely helpful and friendly staff!  We ordered the olives and poutine to start, and the poutine could have been our entire entree... My husband had read about the poutine, and had to order it  (I thought it sounded a little scary) -- french fries covered in Gorgonzola and then smothered in gravy???  I realize that it's a variation on a Canadian specialty, but what stoner came up with that combo?  My husband is already craving it again the next day, but I can't say that I am.  The olives were good, but a really large portion, and too many for 2 people.  I think they should offer a 1/2 portion for $3.  As for the entrees, I had the roasted chicken and it was good, but not nearly as good as the steak that my husband got  -- damn, that was wonderful, and the best I've had in a long time.  We also shared the pineapple upside down cake for dessert, and it was mighty tasty...

My only complaint is that I thought the wines were a little bit on the high side, and the tables for 2 are really close together... I'd say that if you plan to go to Salt House, go with other people so you can sit at a table for 4 -- those tables are further apart and offer more privacy.  It's soooo hard for me not to eavesdrop in a restaurant, and since you are pretty much sharing a table with the people you are sitting next to at the tables for 2, it was quite a challenge not to eavesdrop at this joint!
545 Mission St
(between Shaw Aly & Ecker Pl)
San FranciscoCA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 543-8900

Chủ Nhật, 20 tháng 11, 2011

Thai House Express Review

If you're in Castro and want Thai...this is the spot :) 

When i came in, the first thing i noticed was that I loved the decor. Especially the flower prints on the wall. Service was great and everyone was super friendly and helpful. We went around 7:30 on a Monday night, and it was surprisingly packed which is always a good sign. Their menu was extensive but definitely not overwhelming, and they have all the basics you want when you crave Thai food. Even better, they have a decent wine menu! 

fav dishes of the night:
- tom yum goong soup
- pad thai
- som tum thai (green papaya salad)
- pumpkin curry
- ga prow (minced chicken w/ basil, chili, and bell peppers)

They get their 5th star because of their mango sticky rice dessert. I got some serious mango knowledge that night! Unlike other places who use semi-ripe or stringy fibrous mangoes during the winter season, these were SWEET and left no grossness in your mouth after biting into it. AMAZING FOR THE FREAKING MIDDLE OF WINTER! 

I was told that mangoes that taste stringy are mostly from Mexico, but the sweeter ones come from Guatemala or the Philippines. It obviously shows they know their stuff even down to the last details ...like where to purchase good mangoes :)

599 Castro St
(between 18th St & 19th St)
San FranciscoCA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 864-5000

Casello Webworks Review

I was previously using a template-based design for my small business web site, but it needed a severe upgrade last year.  Jamie taught me a ton of useful information about search engine optimization (SEO) and I realized that a WordPress-based site would be ideal for my business.

I had gone through two graphic designers who loved creating fancy splash pages and cool-looking Flash pages for my site.  But Jamie explained that Flash sites are SEO killers.  Casello Webworks took my existing colors and logo, and designed a clean, professional site that is easy to use, and most importantly, has increased web traffic and search engine rankings for me.

Managing the site is simple, and to be able to make my own updates (without having to pay a designer to do so) is great, and extremely cost-effective.

Jamie was great to work with, went above and beyond in helping me set up a few extra pages and features on the site, and has been available for questions whenever I had them in the year since my new site went live.

Highly recommended for anyone who needs a clean, professional site that works, and can be found on Google, Bing, or other search engines.  Pricing was very competitive, and WAY better than forking over a few grand for a Flash site with fancy graphics that no one would ever see.

3824 18th St
Ste 101

(between Church St & Sanchez St)
San FranciscoCA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 595-8845