The night started with a search for Bourbon & Branch and an intention to sneak my way into it without a reservation. All opinions are a little dated so take them with a grain of salt.
You will not believe how many terrible boba places I've experienced for the sake of this list. I've tried some of the worst boba so that you don't have to. You're welcome.
I've been on a desperate search to an alternative to Yelp and amateur reviews. Then I came across Oakland Magazine's Best of Oakland and East Bay.
Here are my favorites from their selections.
This is the first of many Napa Valley wine tours. So here's a little bit of an intro to the wine tasting experience.
Wine tasting is subjective and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. You like what you like. And some people can't tell the difference between red wine and vinegar.
Also keep in mind that vineyards generally don't serve their best wines in tastings.
All this being said, wine snobs are the snobbiest of the snobs. And sometimes they'll make you feel dumb for not knowing what you like. So come in with a preference. Here are some go-to lines you can use:
I used to have a tiny bit of an obsession with Chicken & Waffles. Here is an analysis of the Bay Area Chicken & Waffles that are worth the calories.
The number ratings are strictly for the chicken & waffles- not the ambiance or service.
A post that may cause some controversy? The only thing meaner than a passionate coffee snob is a beer snob.
After explaining to visitors that the Golden Gate Bridge is actually some shade of orange for the Nth time, I've decided I'm quite the expert at the SF tour.
Burmese cuisine is like eating the best parts of Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisine- how can you refuse?
San Francisco's Purple Kow has been recommended to me time and time again. Purple Kow's gimmick is having weird souplike boba cups and outrageous portion sizes.
I was skeptical because I prefer quality over excessive quantity when it comes to boba. I was pleasantly surprised.
Usually when someone mentions soul food, it generally refers to grits, chicken & waffles, and heavy carb foods with gravies. My definition of soul food is something hearty, filling, and flavorful. Imagine noodles stir fried in a unique sauce that you can neither classify as Indian or Chinese.
Off Solano Ave, Berkeley's "Nomad Tibetan Restaurant" is my definition of soul food. The first time I went here, I was concerned because there were very few reviews on Yelp (this was back when I trusted Yelp). I ate all the things.