Tretakoff Musings
Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Beauty In My Backyard
Having lived in the Bay Area for more than a decade now, I always appreciate it, but sometimes forget just how amazing every place can be. For instance, Christmas Eve Day was an overcast, cold (Northern California cold; all you Midwesterners, pipe down) kind of a day, perfect for a late breakfast to warm the bones. We headed out to try someplace new, the Lighthouse Café in Sausalito: I ride by it on my bike, daily, and it was always busy. Seems like a good sign.
**WARNING: Mini Dining Review ahead...skip down if you don't care (also will be posted on Yelp)**
The café is right on Bridgeway, the main approach to Sausalito, but before downtown. From the outside, it's kind of cool and kitschy, with a scaled down, two story lighthouse built in to the structure. Inside, small, with a long counter by the open grill, and several booths. Two people service the whole place, plus the cooks.
While the look of the place is classic working-class coffee shop, the food and prices are very definitely Sausalito. Nearly $40 for breakfast for two is ok once in a while, but the food here was not worth the price. Amy's pancakes looked like they'd been beaten down to prevent any fluffiness, and not quite finished; my 3 egg omelet, while good, was hardly worth the $10 menu price. Service was OK; they were pretty busy, and had their hands full. They also have a Scandinavian influence on the food, so it's good for any hardy Nordic types, hankering for a taste of the homeland.
Food: 3 stars
Price: 2 stars
Service: 3 stars
Overall: 2.5 stars
REVIEW DONE...on to other things.
Thus fortified, we headed for a drive. We decided to stay local, and headed out to the Headlands, by means of the greatest tunnel ever invented. If you've not had the chance to drive in the tunnel from Sausalito (Alexander Ave.) to the Headlands, make a point of doing so. It's one lane, so you wait on either end for 5 minutes for the traffic to clear before you can proceed. Once you get in, it's pure 1940's military: you can almost hear the jeeps roaring through. On the other side, you are transported instantly into a pristine wilderness; you'd have no idea that you are 10 minutes from San Francisco.
Most residents think the Headlands are where you take your out of town visitors for a great view of the Golden Gate: that road, right off 101 that snakes up to the top. True, but that's just the beginning of this national treasure: 9/10 more is open to hikers, riders, surfers, and casual drivers, and the Alexander Ave. tunnel is the best way to see it. You come in on the valley floor, with the cliffs of Hawk Hill on your left, and the ridge separating you from Tennessee Valley on the right. Broad, open plains, with meandering trails and brush are hung with fog from the nearby Pacific, and you drive through converted Army buildings, now turned to residences.
The Headlands Center for the Arts is here: Presidio-era buildings now converted for artists to have working studio space overlooking the serenity of the valley. A major horse boarding and jump-training facility catches your eye as you drive on. You reach a fork: turn right, and it's Armstrong Beach, a hidden gem for surfers and birdwatchers, open to the vast breakers of the Golden Gate. Turn left, and it's on to Point Bonita, with it's former batteries and classic early 1900's lighthouse. With the grey of the day, I snapped a quick picture, as the winds chilled around me.
From there, on to the lesser-traveled roads and the former Nike missile facility, now standing as a sentry over the Marine Mammal Center and the open ocean. A few roads more, and you are in the back roads of the Headlands Center, visiting an open Hostel and dodging fallen trees and startled deer.
We crossed out again through the tunnel, amusingly watching two cyclists waiting patiently for the light to turn, along with the cars (unbeknownst to them, the tunnel has dedicated bike lanes on either side). We came out on the other side, and did a short u-turn into Fort Baker. While still a working Coast Guard base, most of the classic buildings were abandoned with the Army, years ago, and now the Bay Area Discovery Museum is the biggest draw...but not for long. An investment group has purchased most of the grounds, and is now turning it into an ultra-chic resort. They are refurbishing all of the classic buildings as guest bungalows and adding to this wonderful setting.
Outside of Treasure Island, this area has some of the most stunning views of the city and bridge to be had; the picture to the right was snapped with my cameraphone from the secluded marina in Fort Baker, which I had never visited. Isolated, with the raw power of the surf held by a jetty, it's seconds away from the Golden Gate (as you can see), with a breathtaking view of the City's skyline. Yet, it feels like you are walking in some remote wilderness: an undiscovered gem in the midst of the dazzling Bridge and Sausalito downtown.
We finished our explorations by heading back to Sausalito proper, and visiting the twisted roads and hillsides that make the place so unique, complete with surprising apartment complexes and adorable cottages. Some coffee to fortify, and we headed home. The whole trip? Less than 10 miles from our doorstep.
Yep, it's a pretty nice way to spend a holiday: vacationing, in your own backyard.
**WARNING: Mini Dining Review ahead...skip down if you don't care (also will be posted on Yelp)**
The café is right on Bridgeway, the main approach to Sausalito, but before downtown. From the outside, it's kind of cool and kitschy, with a scaled down, two story lighthouse built in to the structure. Inside, small, with a long counter by the open grill, and several booths. Two people service the whole place, plus the cooks.
While the look of the place is classic working-class coffee shop, the food and prices are very definitely Sausalito. Nearly $40 for breakfast for two is ok once in a while, but the food here was not worth the price. Amy's pancakes looked like they'd been beaten down to prevent any fluffiness, and not quite finished; my 3 egg omelet, while good, was hardly worth the $10 menu price. Service was OK; they were pretty busy, and had their hands full. They also have a Scandinavian influence on the food, so it's good for any hardy Nordic types, hankering for a taste of the homeland.
Food: 3 stars
Price: 2 stars
Service: 3 stars
Overall: 2.5 stars
REVIEW DONE...on to other things.
Thus fortified, we headed for a drive. We decided to stay local, and headed out to the Headlands, by means of the greatest tunnel ever invented. If you've not had the chance to drive in the tunnel from Sausalito (Alexander Ave.) to the Headlands, make a point of doing so. It's one lane, so you wait on either end for 5 minutes for the traffic to clear before you can proceed. Once you get in, it's pure 1940's military: you can almost hear the jeeps roaring through. On the other side, you are transported instantly into a pristine wilderness; you'd have no idea that you are 10 minutes from San Francisco.
Most residents think the Headlands are where you take your out of town visitors for a great view of the Golden Gate: that road, right off 101 that snakes up to the top. True, but that's just the beginning of this national treasure: 9/10 more is open to hikers, riders, surfers, and casual drivers, and the Alexander Ave. tunnel is the best way to see it. You come in on the valley floor, with the cliffs of Hawk Hill on your left, and the ridge separating you from Tennessee Valley on the right. Broad, open plains, with meandering trails and brush are hung with fog from the nearby Pacific, and you drive through converted Army buildings, now turned to residences.
The Headlands Center for the Arts is here: Presidio-era buildings now converted for artists to have working studio space overlooking the serenity of the valley. A major horse boarding and jump-training facility catches your eye as you drive on. You reach a fork: turn right, and it's Armstrong Beach, a hidden gem for surfers and birdwatchers, open to the vast breakers of the Golden Gate. Turn left, and it's on to Point Bonita, with it's former batteries and classic early 1900's lighthouse. With the grey of the day, I snapped a quick picture, as the winds chilled around me.From there, on to the lesser-traveled roads and the former Nike missile facility, now standing as a sentry over the Marine Mammal Center and the open ocean. A few roads more, and you are in the back roads of the Headlands Center, visiting an open Hostel and dodging fallen trees and startled deer.
We crossed out again through the tunnel, amusingly watching two cyclists waiting patiently for the light to turn, along with the cars (unbeknownst to them, the tunnel has dedicated bike lanes on either side). We came out on the other side, and did a short u-turn into Fort Baker. While still a working Coast Guard base, most of the classic buildings were abandoned with the Army, years ago, and now the Bay Area Discovery Museum is the biggest draw...but not for long. An investment group has purchased most of the grounds, and is now turning it into an ultra-chic resort. They are refurbishing all of the classic buildings as guest bungalows and adding to this wonderful setting.
Outside of Treasure Island, this area has some of the most stunning views of the city and bridge to be had; the picture to the right was snapped with my cameraphone from the secluded marina in Fort Baker, which I had never visited. Isolated, with the raw power of the surf held by a jetty, it's seconds away from the Golden Gate (as you can see), with a breathtaking view of the City's skyline. Yet, it feels like you are walking in some remote wilderness: an undiscovered gem in the midst of the dazzling Bridge and Sausalito downtown. We finished our explorations by heading back to Sausalito proper, and visiting the twisted roads and hillsides that make the place so unique, complete with surprising apartment complexes and adorable cottages. Some coffee to fortify, and we headed home. The whole trip? Less than 10 miles from our doorstep.
Yep, it's a pretty nice way to spend a holiday: vacationing, in your own backyard.
Labels: dining, photos, reviews, San Francisco
Saturday, December 30, 2006
What Superhero are YOU?
Ever wanted to be a superhero? Wondered what your superhero would be like? Let this online quiz help you define yours.
Mine:
Your results:
You are Green Lantern
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
Amy's:Your results:
You are Green Lantern
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
Mine:
Your results:
You are Green Lantern
| Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.  |
Amy's:Your results:
You are Green Lantern
| Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination. |
Friday, December 29, 2006
The Gigapixel Image
An amazing example of Google technology layered on over the ever increasing ability of cameras to capture extremely large images with amazing quality. For instance, this gigapixel image of my hometown, Boston, captured from the Prudential Tower's Skywalk, allows you to drill in so tightly, with such clarity, it allows you to be come a virtual peeping Tom.
For instance, take a look at the original image here:
Now, here's the Hatch Shell (where the Boston Pops plays on July 4th, miles away:
The photo of the Hatch Shell is not a separate photo; it's a zoom of the top left of the 1st photo. You can practically read the names of the composers etched into the steps; that's Mozart's name on the right. Amazing; we're finally getting technology that shows like CSI always supposes we have.
Enjoy a virtual visit to a still life of Boston in the summer. See you there!
For instance, take a look at the original image here:
Now, here's the Hatch Shell (where the Boston Pops plays on July 4th, miles away:
The photo of the Hatch Shell is not a separate photo; it's a zoom of the top left of the 1st photo. You can practically read the names of the composers etched into the steps; that's Mozart's name on the right. Amazing; we're finally getting technology that shows like CSI always supposes we have.
Enjoy a virtual visit to a still life of Boston in the summer. See you there!
Labels: Google Maps, photos
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Great song, BAD new media marketing
I've only recently started to discover some music and artists that are not from before 1990. :-) One of them is Pink, an evolution of Joan Jett, one of my all time favorites. She's got a tough, rough approach that just exudes energy. As NBC launched their inaugural season of Sunday Night Football, they tapped Pink to do a cover of Jett's "I Hate Myself For Loving You" for the opening of the show, called "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night." Check out the clip from the season opener:
Catchy, right? She's the modern approach to Hank Williams Jr.'s Monday Night Football montage. In fact, it's a hell of a lot better. Now, here's where it went wrong. It's 2006 (almost 2007): music and ringtones are ubiquitous. Can I buy a clip of this for my MP3 player? No. Ringtone? Uh-uh. How about as a single? Nope.
In fact, the ONLY place I can even hear the song is on this YouTube clip. What kind of marketers are these? Put it up on iTunes! Hell, it doesn't cost you anything, and it's not like the song doesn't already get airplay: Sunday Night Football is one of the highest rated telecasts, ever. Think it won't sell? How many people search iTunes? If they type in "football," and this comes up, laws of averages say you just made money if only 1% buy the track.
It's 2006, and I can't buy it, steal it, or even get it. My only hope is to try to record it and rip it from the recording. C'mon: Pink, you're young enough and hip enough to know better here. And NBC: you are a MEDIA company, for f*ck's sake! What were you thinking?
I may be waiting all day for Sunday night, but I'm stuck waiting forever for Pink's great theme as an MP3.
UPDATE 12/28: Well, after a night of searching and extensive use of Ask.com and Google, I finally found a cached link of a page in Brazil, of all places, that had a link to a German site with the holy grail: 1:35 of clear, quality MP3 of Pink's anthem. An international multi-country jaunt just to get one damn song. Welcome to the world of "we just don't get it."
Catchy, right? She's the modern approach to Hank Williams Jr.'s Monday Night Football montage. In fact, it's a hell of a lot better. Now, here's where it went wrong. It's 2006 (almost 2007): music and ringtones are ubiquitous. Can I buy a clip of this for my MP3 player? No. Ringtone? Uh-uh. How about as a single? Nope.
In fact, the ONLY place I can even hear the song is on this YouTube clip. What kind of marketers are these? Put it up on iTunes! Hell, it doesn't cost you anything, and it's not like the song doesn't already get airplay: Sunday Night Football is one of the highest rated telecasts, ever. Think it won't sell? How many people search iTunes? If they type in "football," and this comes up, laws of averages say you just made money if only 1% buy the track.
It's 2006, and I can't buy it, steal it, or even get it. My only hope is to try to record it and rip it from the recording. C'mon: Pink, you're young enough and hip enough to know better here. And NBC: you are a MEDIA company, for f*ck's sake! What were you thinking?
I may be waiting all day for Sunday night, but I'm stuck waiting forever for Pink's great theme as an MP3.
UPDATE 12/28: Well, after a night of searching and extensive use of Ask.com and Google, I finally found a cached link of a page in Brazil, of all places, that had a link to a German site with the holy grail: 1:35 of clear, quality MP3 of Pink's anthem. An international multi-country jaunt just to get one damn song. Welcome to the world of "we just don't get it."
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
How 'Bout them Marin Cowboys?
Hey, I'm not saying I'm ready for Canton, or even Vegas, but I'm proud to say that this year's Loyalty Lab Fantasy Football season came to a pretty satisfying conclusion:
Yep, after finishing close to the top the last two seasons, this year the Superbowl was mine. Maybe it was the incentive of having $250 on the line, or maybe I, like my 'Boys, was finally desperate enough for a winning season, but most likely it was a combination of my competition and luck. Want proof? The 3rd place winner, the Exurbanites, was a member who hadn't touched his team since his draft. In the end, it came down to Loyalty Lab's two Russians, and this one came out on top.
My powerhouse players this season were Peyton Manning of the Colts (at least he can win a championship in fantasy football), Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars (who? Wasn't Fred Taylor supposed to be the top back?), Marion Barber III of the Cowboys (all he does is score touchdowns), and the sleeper of Marques Colston of the Saints (who was inexplicably listed as a TE/WR, giving me a very strong advantage over most tight ends), it was an 11-2 season. As usual, Cobra Kai, in the form of Ted O'Hanlon, gave me my usual run for the money (we split the meetings this season), and Candice Coder showed her 2nd year experience for my other loss, but it was Ken Sogomonov who was my real competition this season. Great season overall.
To celebrate the win, I asked the other players to forgo payment to me, and instead donate their $25 to the James Kim Memorial Fund, in support of the Kim family after the tragic loss of James, whom I have blogged about. If you'd like to pay kudos to either James Kim's life, the Kim families' coping with their ordeal and James' loss, or my fantasy football prowess, please feel free to head over and make a quick PayPal donation to the Kim family, as well.
Now, if Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones just listen to me, the Lombardi trophy is rightfully headed back to Dallas! And of course, all I have to say is...
Yep, after finishing close to the top the last two seasons, this year the Superbowl was mine. Maybe it was the incentive of having $250 on the line, or maybe I, like my 'Boys, was finally desperate enough for a winning season, but most likely it was a combination of my competition and luck. Want proof? The 3rd place winner, the Exurbanites, was a member who hadn't touched his team since his draft. In the end, it came down to Loyalty Lab's two Russians, and this one came out on top.
My powerhouse players this season were Peyton Manning of the Colts (at least he can win a championship in fantasy football), Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars (who? Wasn't Fred Taylor supposed to be the top back?), Marion Barber III of the Cowboys (all he does is score touchdowns), and the sleeper of Marques Colston of the Saints (who was inexplicably listed as a TE/WR, giving me a very strong advantage over most tight ends), it was an 11-2 season. As usual, Cobra Kai, in the form of Ted O'Hanlon, gave me my usual run for the money (we split the meetings this season), and Candice Coder showed her 2nd year experience for my other loss, but it was Ken Sogomonov who was my real competition this season. Great season overall.
To celebrate the win, I asked the other players to forgo payment to me, and instead donate their $25 to the James Kim Memorial Fund, in support of the Kim family after the tragic loss of James, whom I have blogged about. If you'd like to pay kudos to either James Kim's life, the Kim families' coping with their ordeal and James' loss, or my fantasy football prowess, please feel free to head over and make a quick PayPal donation to the Kim family, as well.
Now, if Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones just listen to me, the Lombardi trophy is rightfully headed back to Dallas! And of course, all I have to say is...
Labels: Dallas Cowboys, football, Loyalty Lab
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Oooh...a new toy I want!
In the 70's, just as the Walkman was coming of age, there was the coolest portable radio I ever saw: the Bone Radio. It looked like a slightly thick scarf, and it rested on your shoulders and neck; it conducted the sounds of your favorite radio station (AM only, natch) through your bones, giving you your own private sound environment that only you were privy to.
Now, a cellphone headset has used the same technology, but reversed it. The Jawbone uses (you guessed it) your jaw to conduct sound; it screens out almost any and all ambient noise. The benefit? You could be driving at, say 80 MPH with the window down, stereo playing...and your caller hears nothing but your voice. I know, hard to believe, but both this review and their website offer some pretty compelling evidence.
If all goes well, I may be trading my Plantronics for this one ASAP. eBay, here I come!
In the 70's, just as the Walkman was coming of age, there was the coolest portable radio I ever saw: the Bone Radio. It looked like a slightly thick scarf, and it rested on your shoulders and neck; it conducted the sounds of your favorite radio station (AM only, natch) through your bones, giving you your own private sound environment that only you were privy to.Now, a cellphone headset has used the same technology, but reversed it. The Jawbone uses (you guessed it) your jaw to conduct sound; it screens out almost any and all ambient noise. The benefit? You could be driving at, say 80 MPH with the window down, stereo playing...and your caller hears nothing but your voice. I know, hard to believe, but both this review and their website offer some pretty compelling evidence.
If all goes well, I may be trading my Plantronics for this one ASAP. eBay, here I come!
Labels: cell phones, gadgets
Happy holidays
A nice way to spend the holiday, with friends Pete & Lani (who's beautiful new table we are all seated at), Rocky & Eileen, and of course Pauline.
Happy holidays! Hope yours was wondrous!
A nice way to spend the holiday, with friends Pete & Lani (who's beautiful new table we are all seated at), Rocky & Eileen, and of course Pauline.
Happy holidays! Hope yours was wondrous!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
A Christmas Miracle: Man can Fly
Ok, maybe not quite Christmas, as it happened on the 10th, but pretty impressive nonetheless. Remember the promise of the jetpack? You know, the one from the Bond movies, and the vision of the future, where we were all promised that we'd be tooling around in our own flying harness? Hasn't quite worked out that way, yet.
Enter, from an unlikely quarter, Yves Rossy. This Swiss daredevil figured out how to not only ride a jetpack, but to strap on some foldable wings to make it a viable, controllable form of transportation. The image here is from the video of his maiden flight; it's amazing to watch him leading a plane with nothing but his body, his jetpack, and his wings.
Heck, even beats the Flying Car for dreams come true.
Ok, maybe not quite Christmas, as it happened on the 10th, but pretty impressive nonetheless. Remember the promise of the jetpack? You know, the one from the Bond movies, and the vision of the future, where we were all promised that we'd be tooling around in our own flying harness? Hasn't quite worked out that way, yet.Enter, from an unlikely quarter, Yves Rossy. This Swiss daredevil figured out how to not only ride a jetpack, but to strap on some foldable wings to make it a viable, controllable form of transportation. The image here is from the video of his maiden flight; it's amazing to watch him leading a plane with nothing but his body, his jetpack, and his wings.
Heck, even beats the Flying Car for dreams come true.
Labels: video
Saturday, December 23, 2006
MUCH more than meets the eye
I mentioned about the new Transformers movie that will be Michael Bay's latest summer blockbuster attempt. Well, the new trailer has hit the web, and I have to say, what started as a laughable idea is looking pretty cool. Judge for yourself:
Of course, it has the signature Michael Bay I-can't-keep-the-camera-still-for-one-moment style, but the effects look terrific. I'm actually looking forward to this!
Of course, it has the signature Michael Bay I-can't-keep-the-camera-still-for-one-moment style, but the effects look terrific. I'm actually looking forward to this!
AskX and you shall receive?
A Digg posting made me try out Ask.com's new interface, AskX. They were making fun of the UI, but I have to say, I'm shocked at how good AskX's search results are. Clean, fast, and useful: not just websites, but the sidebar has incredibly useful information. Looking for a movie trailer? Not only do you get the site, but also a preview of the YouTube version on the right, as well as sample images, and more.
I have to say, I have been growing increasingly fond of Google's service's, and less fond of their search results. Ask's approach may have converted me: I'll take anything that saves me time on my web searches and makes it easy for me.
A Digg posting made me try out Ask.com's new interface, AskX. They were making fun of the UI, but I have to say, I'm shocked at how good AskX's search results are. Clean, fast, and useful: not just websites, but the sidebar has incredibly useful information. Looking for a movie trailer? Not only do you get the site, but also a preview of the YouTube version on the right, as well as sample images, and more.I have to say, I have been growing increasingly fond of Google's service's, and less fond of their search results. Ask's approach may have converted me: I'll take anything that saves me time on my web searches and makes it easy for me.
Labels: search
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Northern California or the North Pole?
What the heck happened to the mild temperate climates of Northern California? I returned home from Chicago this week, only to encounter colder temperatures than Chicago in December! For instance, the picture to the left was out my front door, on the hillside: the entire mulch was covered in a thick blanket of frost!
Biking was a trip: it was the first time my new "colder weather gear" was put to the test, and it passed. Slipping on ice was a new sensation, however!
What the heck happened to the mild temperate climates of Northern California? I returned home from Chicago this week, only to encounter colder temperatures than Chicago in December! For instance, the picture to the left was out my front door, on the hillside: the entire mulch was covered in a thick blanket of frost!Biking was a trip: it was the first time my new "colder weather gear" was put to the test, and it passed. Slipping on ice was a new sensation, however!
Think Denver's airport has problems?
As seen in Chicago's O'Hare airport this week, by me. Yeah, we all get annoyed by travel, but when you get that annoying McAfee update pop-up that BLOCKS THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FLIGHT, it's more than a minor annoyance.
Reminds me of some years ago, as San Francisco's new state of the art International terminal was almost opened, and security was a bit more lax, I was able to stroll around the deserted terminal. 42" plasma screens, everywhere you could see, that would show you the most animated updates on your flights...except they all showed Windows errors. Hundreds of them. Now THAT'S when I wish I had a camera!
As seen in Chicago's O'Hare airport this week, by me. Yeah, we all get annoyed by travel, but when you get that annoying McAfee update pop-up that BLOCKS THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FLIGHT, it's more than a minor annoyance.Reminds me of some years ago, as San Francisco's new state of the art International terminal was almost opened, and security was a bit more lax, I was able to stroll around the deserted terminal. 42" plasma screens, everywhere you could see, that would show you the most animated updates on your flights...except they all showed Windows errors. Hundreds of them. Now THAT'S when I wish I had a camera!
Labels: travel
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Dining Review: Umami, San Francisco
The Marina has a new contender for the art of Asian fusion, and it's name is Umami. The former Yoshida-Ya, famous for it's various meat skewers and vast seating is no more. Instead, the building has been gutted, redone, and become an edgy, dark fusion of ultra lounge and restaurant.
First, it's impossible to discuss this pace without commenting on décor. It's phenomenal: every detail has been paid attention to. Yes, it's very much on the dark side, but the rice paper wall paper, the rich cherry wood floors and tables and the subtle sandal wood accents are great. The place is more bar than restaurant, at least on the ground floor, and they favor high tables with some of the best stools ever made: woven leather seats, plentifully padded, and mounted on wrought iron stems with fantastic footpegs. Lots of small candles made the dark room alight with small intimate pools.
One other note, and a strange one for a dining review: the bathrooms. They have to be seen to be believed. Like the rest of Umami, they are dark beyond belief. Adding to the mystery is the piped in sounds of what seems to be a "how to learn Japanese" tape: voices, speaking a word or phrase in English, followed by another voice repeating it in Japanese. In a dark, small room, it's eerie. The sink, however, is worth the trip: looking like a long water-work piece of slate, it's just perfect to see.
Ok, enough of the odd stuff. The food is, as our server emphasized, not fusion. Instead, like Betelnut, it tries to offer key dishes from all Asian cultures. Sushi, Korean barbecue, Dim Sum, and Pho were all on the menu, as were other salads and appetizers. This is definitely an Asian tapas approach, and meant to have small dishes. We tried the Imperial Rolls, along with the chicken skewers and some sort of meatballs. The food was under whelming: most of the cooked pieces were either overcooked, too hot, or too spicy. The meatballs were the strangest ones: they tasted like no beef we had ever had, and the waiter later informed us it was a mix of pork and beef. Still, that flavor, not entirely pleasant, was not what we expected.
A few other notes:
- The tea was great, and they kept it coming. Genmai for me!
- The heat was out. Blew just after they opened, last week. It'll be at least a week until it's fixed, and it's COLD in there. Combined with the dark, and dining in your jacket/coat, it's not a good combo.
- The downstairs is MUCH more bar than restaurant: it's loud, crowded, and not my scene. Younger people might like it, though the lack of light would make it a challenge for singles scoping.
- The Sushi "bar" is three stools to the right as you walk in. It used to to be the coatroom in the old Yoshida-Ya. My advice is for them to chuck the bar, and put in some more seats, lounge style, for the clientèle they are aiming for.
Umami is no Yoshida-Ya, nor is it trying to be. They just opened, so maybe they'll work the kinks out, but it's definitely better as a bar right now. The money they poured into the place is clearly substantial; I hope on the trendy center of Union and Webster they get the clientèle to pay it off. For now, worth seeing, but not staying.
Food: 3 Stars
Service: 3 Stars
Ambience: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars.
The Marina has a new contender for the art of Asian fusion, and it's name is Umami. The former Yoshida-Ya, famous for it's various meat skewers and vast seating is no more. Instead, the building has been gutted, redone, and become an edgy, dark fusion of ultra lounge and restaurant.First, it's impossible to discuss this pace without commenting on décor. It's phenomenal: every detail has been paid attention to. Yes, it's very much on the dark side, but the rice paper wall paper, the rich cherry wood floors and tables and the subtle sandal wood accents are great. The place is more bar than restaurant, at least on the ground floor, and they favor high tables with some of the best stools ever made: woven leather seats, plentifully padded, and mounted on wrought iron stems with fantastic footpegs. Lots of small candles made the dark room alight with small intimate pools.
One other note, and a strange one for a dining review: the bathrooms. They have to be seen to be believed. Like the rest of Umami, they are dark beyond belief. Adding to the mystery is the piped in sounds of what seems to be a "how to learn Japanese" tape: voices, speaking a word or phrase in English, followed by another voice repeating it in Japanese. In a dark, small room, it's eerie. The sink, however, is worth the trip: looking like a long water-work piece of slate, it's just perfect to see.
Ok, enough of the odd stuff. The food is, as our server emphasized, not fusion. Instead, like Betelnut, it tries to offer key dishes from all Asian cultures. Sushi, Korean barbecue, Dim Sum, and Pho were all on the menu, as were other salads and appetizers. This is definitely an Asian tapas approach, and meant to have small dishes. We tried the Imperial Rolls, along with the chicken skewers and some sort of meatballs. The food was under whelming: most of the cooked pieces were either overcooked, too hot, or too spicy. The meatballs were the strangest ones: they tasted like no beef we had ever had, and the waiter later informed us it was a mix of pork and beef. Still, that flavor, not entirely pleasant, was not what we expected.
A few other notes:
- The tea was great, and they kept it coming. Genmai for me!
- The heat was out. Blew just after they opened, last week. It'll be at least a week until it's fixed, and it's COLD in there. Combined with the dark, and dining in your jacket/coat, it's not a good combo.
- The downstairs is MUCH more bar than restaurant: it's loud, crowded, and not my scene. Younger people might like it, though the lack of light would make it a challenge for singles scoping.
- The Sushi "bar" is three stools to the right as you walk in. It used to to be the coatroom in the old Yoshida-Ya. My advice is for them to chuck the bar, and put in some more seats, lounge style, for the clientèle they are aiming for.
Umami is no Yoshida-Ya, nor is it trying to be. They just opened, so maybe they'll work the kinks out, but it's definitely better as a bar right now. The money they poured into the place is clearly substantial; I hope on the trendy center of Union and Webster they get the clientèle to pay it off. For now, worth seeing, but not staying.
Food: 3 Stars
Service: 3 Stars
Ambience: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars.
Labels: dining, reviews, San Francisco
The First Amendment in Action
From the "I can't believe these concepts ever get put together" files, I present to you an excellent example of the First Amendment in action...courtesy of Danny Bonaduce. Yes, you read that right: the child star of the 1970's turned shock jock of the 80's and all around reality star of the 90's shows how you can absolutely have a cogent argument.
I'll say this: I disagree with what he is saying, but he handles the intrusion into his private time with class, politeness, and directness. He makes his case, and when he can stomach no more, he lets loose. Watch for the part where, before he decides to tell this conspiracy theorist what he really thinks, he first turns to a fellow diner to apologize in advance for his language.
Danny Bonaduce, 9/11, Free Speech, and YouTube. Man, the internet is a wonderful thing.
I'll say this: I disagree with what he is saying, but he handles the intrusion into his private time with class, politeness, and directness. He makes his case, and when he can stomach no more, he lets loose. Watch for the part where, before he decides to tell this conspiracy theorist what he really thinks, he first turns to a fellow diner to apologize in advance for his language.
Danny Bonaduce, 9/11, Free Speech, and YouTube. Man, the internet is a wonderful thing.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Dining Review: Noonan's Bar & Grill
This week, courtesy of Open Table, I had the chance to try Noonan's Bar & Grill in Larkspur. On the surface, sounds like a typical suburban eatery, but in Marin, things can be a bit different. First, the owner owns several popular brewpubs in the county, including Moylan's and the Marin Brewing Company; neither made a great impression on me, but they are popular among the younger crowd. Second, there's not really much of a singles scene in Marin, but Noonan's seems to have become one of the spots. Despite this, we headed over with trepidation on a Monday night.
The menu is surprisingly upscale for a bar & grill; average entree is $24. And the menu is quite unique. For instance, we started with a Trio of Mini Duck Burgers. Yes, you read that right: imagine three "sliders," but with the best duck meat fashioned into a patty, topped with delicious chutney and an impeccable golden egg bread bun. Yum! And the drink list? WOW. three pages of Vodka choices, four for tequilas, and the list goes on and on. No skimping on the wine or beer, either: this is a SERIOUS drinking establishment. I had a full and great Zin that, while not cheap, was all it was cracked up to be.
Ok, here's the secret for seafood lovers and Noonan's: Monday nights are the time to be there. Why? One simple reason: $24.95 all you can eat oysters. I'm not talking cheap, small oysters here; we're saying Tomales Bay 4-5" oysters per shell. They start you off with a dozen raw on the half shell with two scrumptious sauces. After you've managed to plow through those, here comes the real treat: 24 oysters, 6 of every kind. The best BBQ Oysters I have ever had; Oysters Rockefeller that are to die for; Oysters Casino that were easily one of my new favorites; and the underwhelming Oysters Noonan's, which purported to be a BBQ variant, but were actually tomato sauce. These oysters were on a par with Hog Island Oysters, and the plates kept coming. Remember: Monday night's, it's all you can eat. This is the best Oyster deal, ever.
Amy's Day Boat Scallops were sensational, and the service was friendly without obtrusiveness. Yes, the bill was $80 for the two of us, with drinks, but unlike other Marin dining, this was completely worth it. The best part? As we left the table, one of the waiters smiled kindly at me, and said, "See you next Monday?" Now THAT'S a local restaurant.
Food: 5 Stars
Service: 4.5 Stars
Ambience: 3.5 Stars (it's a bar and grill; dress it up, but it still is)
Overall: 4 stars.
The menu is surprisingly upscale for a bar & grill; average entree is $24. And the menu is quite unique. For instance, we started with a Trio of Mini Duck Burgers. Yes, you read that right: imagine three "sliders," but with the best duck meat fashioned into a patty, topped with delicious chutney and an impeccable golden egg bread bun. Yum! And the drink list? WOW. three pages of Vodka choices, four for tequilas, and the list goes on and on. No skimping on the wine or beer, either: this is a SERIOUS drinking establishment. I had a full and great Zin that, while not cheap, was all it was cracked up to be.
Ok, here's the secret for seafood lovers and Noonan's: Monday nights are the time to be there. Why? One simple reason: $24.95 all you can eat oysters. I'm not talking cheap, small oysters here; we're saying Tomales Bay 4-5" oysters per shell. They start you off with a dozen raw on the half shell with two scrumptious sauces. After you've managed to plow through those, here comes the real treat: 24 oysters, 6 of every kind. The best BBQ Oysters I have ever had; Oysters Rockefeller that are to die for; Oysters Casino that were easily one of my new favorites; and the underwhelming Oysters Noonan's, which purported to be a BBQ variant, but were actually tomato sauce. These oysters were on a par with Hog Island Oysters, and the plates kept coming. Remember: Monday night's, it's all you can eat. This is the best Oyster deal, ever.Amy's Day Boat Scallops were sensational, and the service was friendly without obtrusiveness. Yes, the bill was $80 for the two of us, with drinks, but unlike other Marin dining, this was completely worth it. The best part? As we left the table, one of the waiters smiled kindly at me, and said, "See you next Monday?" Now THAT'S a local restaurant.
Food: 5 Stars
Service: 4.5 Stars
Ambience: 3.5 Stars (it's a bar and grill; dress it up, but it still is)
Overall: 4 stars.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
A table Pete AND Lani would love
Over on Pete's blog, you'll see some amazing examples of design, especially around furniture and housewares. On Lani's blog, you'll get great insight into setting up a new home, as well as work and movies. What you may not know is the two of them live together as a happy couple. Read their blogs, and you can see their tastes can be both overlapping and extremely divergent.
Looks like there's a company out there that decided to make something both of them can truly appreciate. Lani's been recently posting about her search for a dining room table, while Pete's been giving some good examples of innovative furniture designs. DB Fletcher decided both should have some satisfaction, with this radially expanding table. Not radically; radially. Want a larger table? Turn it:
Better yet, watch the short video of the table in action.
Looks like there's a company out there that decided to make something both of them can truly appreciate. Lani's been recently posting about her search for a dining room table, while Pete's been giving some good examples of innovative furniture designs. DB Fletcher decided both should have some satisfaction, with this radially expanding table. Not radically; radially. Want a larger table? Turn it:
It is a circular table which, when rotated at its outer perimeter, doubles its seating capacity, yet astonishingly remains truly circular.
The expansion leaves are stored within the table and, in just four seconds, smoothly and quickly emerge upon rotation, rising and radially expanding outwards as the entire top is turned through 30˚.
Better yet, watch the short video of the table in action.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Joss Whedon: This Generation's Gene Roddenberry
I just finished watching all the episodes of Firefly, Joss Whedon's "Western in Space," and was surprised at how enjoyable it was. Whedon, if you don't know, is the man who brought Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel to the small screen, but also has written some surprising big screen diversities, including Toy Story and Alien Resurrection (Alien 4). Firefly was supposed to be his big dream, but it lasted only 13 episodes before Fox canceled it.
Like another famous science fiction series that was canceled before it's time, Firefly inspired fans who loved the universe and characters, who are passionate about the show. How passionate? They staged a letter writing campaign to save it, which briefly worked. They held conventions, wrote episodes, and generally made a ruckus enough to convince 20th Century Fox to allow Whedon to make a movie follow up, Serenity. Unfortunately, like the series, it too failed to be a commercial success. The story should have ended there; it didn't.
Take the last 24 hours. A major open-source platform for online Multiplayer games announced it's releasing a new "universe," set in the Firefly world. Having watched the series, I will say this is masterful: the complex universe Whedon created is a mix of Western, Chinese, and traditional sci-fi, and he barely scratched the surface. In fact, the unfolding universe was as much a character as the rest of the actors, and deserves to harness the power of the fan's imagination this way.
And speaking of the actors, the "Browncoats," as Firefly fans tend to call themselves (a reference to the rebellious group some of the major characters were part of) were set to have their annual convention today...only to find the company that put it together essentially took the 500 people who prepaid their $75 each...and vanished. Another injustice to these passionate fans, and another tragic tale, right? Wrong. Tonight, as the morose fans huddled for mutual frustration in the hotel's bar, the actors from the show came down and joined them. Hell, they may still be there, as of this post. Folks, that's complete and utter class: these actors, who were only together for a short time, really feel the love, and are giving back. Kudos, and bravo.
The show itself was good: rich and nuanced. sure, it had a bit of hokeyness (that "Western in space" is just not sustainable), and some weaknesses, but it is a fine show, worthy of these fans' respect. Some of it was groundbreaking: the camera and effects work are clearly what's influenced the breakout hit, Battlestar Galactica. And the writing was top notch: character consistency, all the way. I do recommend watching it, if only to understand what these fans saw in it.
Clearly, like Star Trek, this is a show that went before its time, and the parallels are eerie. Show was canceled because it was not a commercial success, yet the fans make it live on. Conventions keep springing up. A movie version was made, but the first one was also not a commercial success. Now, look at Trek, years later: 8 films, 4 spinoff series, countless video games (see my wish list), books and more. Hell, there are even movies about the fans!
Joss Whedon clearly knows how to write a good series, and I will not be surprised if Firefly will live on, maybe as another film, after the success of the MMORPG and the DVD sales, etc. Joss Whedon, this generation's Roddenberry. Me, I'm off to add Serenity to my Netflix queue.
I just finished watching all the episodes of Firefly, Joss Whedon's "Western in Space," and was surprised at how enjoyable it was. Whedon, if you don't know, is the man who brought Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel to the small screen, but also has written some surprising big screen diversities, including Toy Story and Alien Resurrection (Alien 4). Firefly was supposed to be his big dream, but it lasted only 13 episodes before Fox canceled it.Like another famous science fiction series that was canceled before it's time, Firefly inspired fans who loved the universe and characters, who are passionate about the show. How passionate? They staged a letter writing campaign to save it, which briefly worked. They held conventions, wrote episodes, and generally made a ruckus enough to convince 20th Century Fox to allow Whedon to make a movie follow up, Serenity. Unfortunately, like the series, it too failed to be a commercial success. The story should have ended there; it didn't.
Take the last 24 hours. A major open-source platform for online Multiplayer games announced it's releasing a new "universe," set in the Firefly world. Having watched the series, I will say this is masterful: the complex universe Whedon created is a mix of Western, Chinese, and traditional sci-fi, and he barely scratched the surface. In fact, the unfolding universe was as much a character as the rest of the actors, and deserves to harness the power of the fan's imagination this way.
And speaking of the actors, the "Browncoats," as Firefly fans tend to call themselves (a reference to the rebellious group some of the major characters were part of) were set to have their annual convention today...only to find the company that put it together essentially took the 500 people who prepaid their $75 each...and vanished. Another injustice to these passionate fans, and another tragic tale, right? Wrong. Tonight, as the morose fans huddled for mutual frustration in the hotel's bar, the actors from the show came down and joined them. Hell, they may still be there, as of this post. Folks, that's complete and utter class: these actors, who were only together for a short time, really feel the love, and are giving back. Kudos, and bravo.
The show itself was good: rich and nuanced. sure, it had a bit of hokeyness (that "Western in space" is just not sustainable), and some weaknesses, but it is a fine show, worthy of these fans' respect. Some of it was groundbreaking: the camera and effects work are clearly what's influenced the breakout hit, Battlestar Galactica. And the writing was top notch: character consistency, all the way. I do recommend watching it, if only to understand what these fans saw in it.
Clearly, like Star Trek, this is a show that went before its time, and the parallels are eerie. Show was canceled because it was not a commercial success, yet the fans make it live on. Conventions keep springing up. A movie version was made, but the first one was also not a commercial success. Now, look at Trek, years later: 8 films, 4 spinoff series, countless video games (see my wish list), books and more. Hell, there are even movies about the fans!
Joss Whedon clearly knows how to write a good series, and I will not be surprised if Firefly will live on, maybe as another film, after the success of the MMORPG and the DVD sales, etc. Joss Whedon, this generation's Roddenberry. Me, I'm off to add Serenity to my Netflix queue.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Josh is SO hard to buy for...not anymore!
Ok, I've heard it a million times: "you're so hard to buy for; what do you want for {fill in the blank}?" I tried to help; I created wishlists, hints, blog posts. Still I get the question. Clearly, it's time to harness the power of the Web to help solve this astounding problem:
What I really want is a GPS unit that works with my Palm. Luckily, there are some available. However, I'm not crass enough to suggest someone should drop a couple of Benjamins on it for me. I am crass enough, however, to suggest that friends, coworkers, and anonymous contributors pool their good intentions towards that goal, and this service from ChipIn makes it possible. You contribute the funds, the progress gets updated on the blog, and when the goal is hit, voila! Disbursement, and I'm a few clicks away from that beloved gadget.
Beyond just the appreciation, this service is really cool. I opted to let them collect the funds, rather than PayPal, but they support that service, as well. And the widget creation is SO Web 2.0.
I've modified the blog to show the widget on the right, so we can all see the progress. Now, let's get that thermometer moving! :-)
Thanks in advance for putting up with my bluntness.
What I really want is a GPS unit that works with my Palm. Luckily, there are some available. However, I'm not crass enough to suggest someone should drop a couple of Benjamins on it for me. I am crass enough, however, to suggest that friends, coworkers, and anonymous contributors pool their good intentions towards that goal, and this service from ChipIn makes it possible. You contribute the funds, the progress gets updated on the blog, and when the goal is hit, voila! Disbursement, and I'm a few clicks away from that beloved gadget.
Beyond just the appreciation, this service is really cool. I opted to let them collect the funds, rather than PayPal, but they support that service, as well. And the widget creation is SO Web 2.0.
I've modified the blog to show the widget on the right, so we can all see the progress. Now, let's get that thermometer moving! :-)
Thanks in advance for putting up with my bluntness.
New Widgetbox Widgets
Check out two new WidgetBox widgets I've added in the right column. Man, these things keep coming and get cooler and cooler.
WidgetBox makes these things easy. Now, if they'd only integrate all the Google Gadgets, we'd be all set.
The Internet Address Book Pidy. Simple: consolidate all your social networking and sharing URLs into a single "badge." Clever.- The Google Maps Widget. Paired with a text Widget for a caption, allows me to display a map of where I'm traveling to this week. With how much I've been traveling, always fun to show.
WidgetBox makes these things easy. Now, if they'd only integrate all the Google Gadgets, we'd be all set.
Labels: Google Maps, travel, widgets
The gifts I want don't exist
Such a frustrating holiday for a gadget guy like me, this year. The best gadgets aren't out, and are not quite here. The Treo 680? Close, no cigar. The Blackjack? Version 2 has WiFi and another camera...but not out yet. The Wii? Not until they get the kinks worked out.
Take this example. I HATE wires. for years. I have been advocating that, if I had enough money, I would go back to school and get a degree in electrical engineering just to create the wireless power system. For instance, my Sonicare just gets near the cradle, and charges. Why can't every gadget be like that? Well, WildCharge aims to just do that. No brainer for me, right? Sure...but not out until 2007.
Sigh. I'll keep that Froogle list stocked...
Take this example. I HATE wires. for years. I have been advocating that, if I had enough money, I would go back to school and get a degree in electrical engineering just to create the wireless power system. For instance, my Sonicare just gets near the cradle, and charges. Why can't every gadget be like that? Well, WildCharge aims to just do that. No brainer for me, right? Sure...but not out until 2007.Sigh. I'll keep that Froogle list stocked...
Labels: cell phones, gadgets
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
James Kim: killed by Google Maps?
James Kim's body was found today, ending the search for the tech community member. As I wrote last week, James was always a great part of my tech and media consumption, and I am extremely sad for his family and coworkers.
Now the question turns to "How could this happen?" Interestingly, MSNBC suggests part of the blame may lie with our ever-increasing reliance on Google Maps. I have been a victim of this myself: in our driving trip to Dallas and the Southwest in 2001, I used Microsoft's Streets & Trips to plan a scenic drive to Taos...and almost got Amy and I killed, careening off a cliff at 60 MPH, Roadrunner cartoon style. The road went from a flat blacktop in the desert to a dirt trail barely large enough for a single car in 50 feet...and the trail ended above a cliff. This, because I asked Microsoft for a "scenic" route.
Looks like there's a market for a new map site: one that uses real-world info. Seems like an ideal Web 2.0 idea: combine social networking with Flickr and Google Maps, with an associated wiki: Voila! Mapr is born. :-)
Note: I will collect royalties on that and donate them to James Kim's family, if it's used.
James Kim's body was found today, ending the search for the tech community member. As I wrote last week, James was always a great part of my tech and media consumption, and I am extremely sad for his family and coworkers.Now the question turns to "How could this happen?" Interestingly, MSNBC suggests part of the blame may lie with our ever-increasing reliance on Google Maps. I have been a victim of this myself: in our driving trip to Dallas and the Southwest in 2001, I used Microsoft's Streets & Trips to plan a scenic drive to Taos...and almost got Amy and I killed, careening off a cliff at 60 MPH, Roadrunner cartoon style. The road went from a flat blacktop in the desert to a dirt trail barely large enough for a single car in 50 feet...and the trail ended above a cliff. This, because I asked Microsoft for a "scenic" route.
Looks like there's a market for a new map site: one that uses real-world info. Seems like an ideal Web 2.0 idea: combine social networking with Flickr and Google Maps, with an associated wiki: Voila! Mapr is born. :-)
Note: I will collect royalties on that and donate them to James Kim's family, if it's used.
Labels: cars, Google Maps, news
Saturday, December 02, 2006
San Francisco Parking Carma
From the "why didn't someone think of this sooner?" department: a Google Maps mashup showing you near real-time parking space availability in San Francisco. Cool, but I wish it showed all of the parking lots and the cost for hourly and daily parking for each.
By the way, if you are looking for a good Google Maps mashup directory, can't go wrong with this site.
From the "why didn't someone think of this sooner?" department: a Google Maps mashup showing you near real-time parking space availability in San Francisco. Cool, but I wish it showed all of the parking lots and the cost for hourly and daily parking for each.By the way, if you are looking for a good Google Maps mashup directory, can't go wrong with this site.
Labels: cars, Google Maps, San Francisco
We may not be alone...how did we not know?
One of the things I love about the web, and interesting news sites like digg, the new Netscape, and Original Signal is stumbling across some sort of piece of information I never knew...and should have. For instance, take this example of a comparatively massive radio signal we received...from space. Yes, all you Contact fans, it actually happened: a full on, ET Phoning Us signal, so powerful it made the person monitoring the signal note "WOW!" on the record, and it has been known as the WOW signal ever since.
Now, get this: it happened almost 20 years ago. 2 decades, I never even heard of this. No, it has not been repeated (nor were there any encoded signals captured for special plans for teleporters, alas), which, of course, led to speculation it was an anomaly. Here's the part of the article I found most convincing, however:
Makes you think...and hope.
One of the things I love about the web, and interesting news sites like digg, the new Netscape, and Original Signal is stumbling across some sort of piece of information I never knew...and should have. For instance, take this example of a comparatively massive radio signal we received...from space. Yes, all you Contact fans, it actually happened: a full on, ET Phoning Us signal, so powerful it made the person monitoring the signal note "WOW!" on the record, and it has been known as the WOW signal ever since.Now, get this: it happened almost 20 years ago. 2 decades, I never even heard of this. No, it has not been repeated (nor were there any encoded signals captured for special plans for teleporters, alas), which, of course, led to speculation it was an anomaly. Here's the part of the article I found most convincing, however:
The signal's original discoverer Jerry Ehman doesn't care to speculate on its source, and he remains scientifically skeptical. "Even if it were intelligent beings sending a signal," he said in an interview, "they'd do it far more than once. We should have seen it again when we looked for it 50 times."
Perhaps. But consider that when humankind used the Arecibo radio telescope to send a message out into space in 1974, it was only sent once.
Makes you think...and hope.
