OCK (Orchard City Kitchen) - Campbell - UPDATED

4/5 stars

Food was outstanding this time around. We came for an early bday celebration with a bigger group so were able to sample more things than our last visit.

We started with the bacon, biscuits, and butter. The bacon was magical. Like candy.

The beets & butterfish blew us away. Salt roasted beets, smoked black cod, horseradish dressing, and blue cheese: we would never ever put something like this together at home. But now, my MIL and I want to try and replicate it someday. Highly recommend this dish. All the flavors just worked together beautifully.

Another winner was the crab & avocado toast (with a delicious meyer lemo aioli) and I was a big fan of the octopus bucatini (castrelvetrano olives, tomatoes, bread crumbs, epcorino, finger lime) though the pasta itself was a tad overcooked.

And the mac n' cheese with BBQ'd brisket was ooey, gooey, tasty.

On the other hand, there were some things we wouldn't order again: lobster dumplings and hamachi sashimi.

The lobster dumplings did not taste as fresh as the crab in the crab & avocado toast. I actually didn't taste much lobster at all. It was also too spicy. The hamachi sashimi was more like a ceviche and the portion size was really, really small. The burrata cheese and pork belly were also mediocre, which is a shame.

Cocktails still need some work too. I loved my Milk Punch, but when I asked to substitute the vodka in the Marilyn Monroe with gin, I was told that the bartenders wouldn't do it. They also messed up my MIL's Manhattan. The cocktails' list is sort of limited compared to the Table. But I will say that I'm enjoying OCK's food a bit more.

Now I just have to try brunch...

Bill’s Cafe - San Jose

4/5 stars

Stacks, you have competition!

FOOD: The menu was so big and enticing, I had trouble deciding what I wanted. And if you're not in the mood for anything, you can order the "Not in the Mood for Anything" which just happens to be soup and a side salad with breadsticks. Everything on the menu looks like tasty comfort food – from omelettes to wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and benedicts. I finally decided on the Parisienne French Toast which was a fantastic idea. A huge, freshly baked croissant smushed flat and then dipped in a cinnamon egg batter and then fried. Dusted with powder'd sugar, it didn't need any more butter or syrup. It was very melt-in-your-mouth yummy. Came with two eggs and sausage links for $9. I also tried the bf's chicken fried steak and hasbrowns and I would have to say that they were the best I ever had - on both accounts. The chicken fried steak wasn't greasy or fatty, and it was PACKED with flavor. They seasoned it... there is no other word than perfectly. The gravy and hashbrowns were both fresh and - no doubt - homemade.

ATMOSPHERE: The sun is out, Spring is in the air - it's time for lazy Sunday breakfasts outside. Bill's got a patio AND they're open till 3PM for breakfast! Our waters and coffee was constantly filled. The service was soo friendly and regulars were greeted warmly. I can't wait to be a regular! And last but not least, I must mention the tequila! A river of tequila flows through Bill's... don't be surprised if you're offered a shot! Breakfast and booze... genius!

(2008)

Gombei Japanese Restaurant - San Jose

2/5 stars

ATMOSPHERE: Line was out the door! That's always a good sign, right? I'm sorry I don't agree with the 4 star rating or with the 120+ other Yelpers, but I can see the appeal! Even though every single table was full when we arrived, turn around time was fast so we were seated within 10 minutes. Service was super friendly - 4 star service for sure! Place was clean, warm, n' cozy. Cash only! 

FOOD: Japanese comfort food. Sort of like home-cooking, but on the bland side. HUGE PORTIONS, though. You get a lot for a low price. I had the fried shrimp udon and didn't like it. Shrimp and onion rings were fried up nice and non-greasy, though. I just didn't like the overall taste of the food. Not the restaurant's fault.

(2008)

Judy’s Homestyle Cafe - San Francisco

1/5 stars

FOOD: Meh, boring, expensive, and sparce (as in portion size is pathetic... they don't even fold your omelette in half so that it appears bigger on your plate). Potatoes were way too herb-y (too much seasoning) and well... to be honest, I felt like I could've made the food at home. Yes, the ingredients were fresh, the warm blueberry muffin was a plus, and the mimosa was made with fresh OJ and they weren't skimpy on the champagne, so that was nice. It was a fun celebratory post-LASIK op drink (my eyesight is now better than 20/20)!

ATMOSPHERE: We didn't go inside, since the weather was so darn nice. High 60s and it's only March - gosh the Bay Area is awesome. They had some tables outside. Service was pretty non-exsistent, but polite. Note to staff: your coffee was the HOTTEST liquid my bf has EVER been served in his entire life. He barely sipped it (a teaspoon size sip) and it scalded his tongue. Maybe you shouldn't make it so hot. It was still bubbling in the cup.

(2008)

Pacific Vision Institute - San Francisco

5/5 stars

This was my 100th Yelp review. And I couldn't have picked a more heartfelt place to review. Because of PVI, I woke up this morning and, for the first time in 17 years, was able to see clearly without the help of contacts or glasses.The words on my small, plastic floss dispenser from Walgreens never looked so clear.

Thank you, PVI + incredible, talented staff, for giving me the gift of sight. I am awestruck. There are no words good enough to describe this. I was aprrox. an 8 in one eye, a 7.75 in the other, with 1.75 astigmatism in both. I am now BETTER than 20/20. I always knew that I wanted to do LASIK, but I'm glad I waited for the technology to improve and for a blade-less cut. I couldn't imagine watching a doctor approach me with a blade to slice open my cornea. No, thank you. Fast forward 5 years or so. Then I got the push from my friend Aaron who was stoked to get his wavefront intraLASIK done which in turn got me all exicted. Before I knew it, I was at PVI for a consultation. Even though I arrived 2 hours late to my appointment (it was my first time driving to the City and I somehow managed to get to Fort Mason...), it was by far, the most comfortable doctor experience I've ever had. Gene took all my measurements and was so patient and sweet. He explained everything. What's super cool is that PVI has the ONLY CAT scan for eyes in Northern California! Leah was my point of contact there and she was very personable and straight forward. With my vision ins., it was going to cost me $5600 - $300 referral. If you plan it right and work with Flex, $3000 of that can be non-taxed money. Sweet! Okay, now the above price tag may be higher than what you're used to, BUT PVI IS WORTH IT. Several reasons: 1. I don't believe in designer jeans or $7.00 bottled water, but when it came to my eyes, I was willing to pay for the best. Dr. Faktorovich looks better on paper than anybody else I've ever read about. She has written textbooks on this stuff. You know what that means? Future eye surgeons study her. 2. Your touch-ups are free... for life. Other places may offer free touch-ups for 6 months after or up to 2 years. We're talking, for life. No bargaining, no paying for appoinments, or anything hidden. One, direct fee. Dr. Lee did most of my pre-op work as well as surgery prep and post-op and let me tell you - he's a cool cat. Very patient (I asked like, a bajillion questions), very honest, very nice, and incredibly professional. Because I wore hard contacts for so long and was on antibiotics that dried up everything from my skin to my eyes, he and Dr. Faktorovich just weren't ready to perform surgery on me. I am SO HAPPY that I had doctors who were honest enough to say, "No." They said no to me two times before they said yes.

THE PROCEDURE: the pain was minimal, just mostly uncomfortable and weird. I spent most of the time stressing out that I was doing it wrong. Before I had time to fix whatever I was doing, it was over. The procedure itself (the cutting of the flap and the LASIK) lasted... maybe 10 minutes? It was mostly keeping your eyes closed and waiting.

First they give you some medicine to relax you (and boy did they work! I could barely hobble around on those beautiful pills!) and then they put a bunch of drops in your eyes - to numb them, ect. Then Dr. Lee uses a marker and makes marks on your eyes - I didn't feel a thing! Then you lie there for awhile, again, with your eyes closed. Then you're led to a fairly cold room. Dawn, who's very sweet, gave me a pillow to squeeze on. There, you lie and wait. What's kinda cool is that you can hear the surgery that's going on in the other room so you know what to expect. FYI - the machine makes noise. Then Dr. Faktorvich comes in and this is when the flap is cut. Sharp, metal things are inserted into your eyes to hold them open - one eye at a time. And then you're supposed to look at the light. Problem was... I thought I saw two lights. If you look at the wrong one, Dr. F will tell you. Then you're moved over to another machine that creates the air bubbles? Then you're sat on a comfy couch where you wait for the bubbles to do its thing. Finally, you're taken into another room where the most painful part was Dr. F removing the flap. The surgery itself was the most confusing part for me because behold, the light show! You're supposed to fixate on the green light, but there was so much going on - red splotches, yellow. I apparently also had some trouble keeping my head still. Dr. F (or somebody) helped hold it down for me. Then, before I knew it, it was over. I wanted to sing my thanks to Dr. F but A) I couldn't see and B) she had already left the room. Busy lady.

What I did hear was a wonderful "Congratulations" from Dawn and then Michelle led me into a room where Dr. Lee did a final check-up and I was given all my drops and my eyes were covered. I was so thankful and loopy. I fell asleep instantly and woke up, re-born.

(2008)

Hon Sushi - Mountain View

2.75/5 stars

Went here wth my mom and dad on President's Day. Family lunch at a family establishment! 

ATMOSPHERE: Bright, clean, tiny, friendly, attentive... I almost felt like I was in Japan. I would say that Hon Sushi is a little gem run by decent, honest Japanese people who care. And all sushi and rolls are automatically 30% off.

FOOD: We had a feast! The fish is fresh, the rolls are big, bold, and colorful. I also had the pork ramen and even though the noodles weren't made fresh (which I didn't mind because this wasn't a ramen shop), the broth was unique and tasty. Very savory, slightly tangy, mildly spicy, and It wasn't fatty either... and no MSG! Free miso to start and free fresh-cut pineapple for dessert!

IN A MOUTHFUL: Can't wait to share this place with others!

(2008)

Straits Restaurant - Santana Row - San Jose

2.5/5 stars

After window shopping at Santana Row and a lovely pedicure at Lavande Spa, my girl friend and I were ready for dinner and cocktails to finish up girl time. Straits was a great ending.

Yes, overpriced.
Yes, overhyped.
Yes, trendy in a cookie-cutter way.

BUT, they do three things (and only three things) well, IMO, and they are:

1. Cocktails
2. Roti
3. Garlic noodles

I love the extensive variety and tasty-ness of their cocktails. My strawberry cheesecake martini tasted just as described. It even had a yummy, sugary, graham cracker crust on the rim. I love the crisp, flaky, doughy, paper thin roti with its sweet n' savory curry for dippin'. And I must admit, have had dreams about their chewy, powerfully garlicky-in-a-good-way, shitake-mushroom-fantastic garlic noodles with chicken and sweet smellin' basil.

We also ordered their beef wrapped in grape leaves lettuce wraps today and they were surprisingly made well. The dish came with butter lettuce, cilantro, mint leaves, basil leaves, pickled carrots and jicama, and a sweet, chili dipping sauce. The beef was juicy and it was overall, a well flavored dish. The crab cakes, on the other hand, sucked. The crab was minced or something and the curry (I think) flavor didn't taste right. It just didn't work. They were also too dry. Don't order this. Save your money.

Atmosphere is a bit too loud, service is sorta superficial, but professional, and prices are way way way high, but for the above three things, I don't mind coming back every now and again.

(2008)