Tastyr Forum http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk This is an XML content feed of; Tastyr Forum : Last 10 Posts Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:39:52 +0000 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:32:59 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 8.04 30 sf.Tastyr.com/talk/RSS_topic_feed.asp Tastyr Forum http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/../images/icon_Bubble_square3.gif http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Mombo's Pizza retorts http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=833#833 Author: ThurstonHowell
Subject: Mombo's Pizza retorts
Posted: 16 Jul 2008 at 10:32pm

Ohhhh. sounds like the owner got defensive on his sauce that although not crawling out of a #10 can, obviously tastes like that for our tasty reviewer Samarati! If the proprietor takes defense to professing the benefits of gas, one should be more reaching to find out why the pie doesn't taste like one made as such. Maybe he can fool some tastytesters with a little essence of burning oak, and call it a NY style pizza from a wood burning oven. The benchmark for Santa Rosa, is not high enough to really worry about this place since although popular, the reason being is that it accross the street from the Junior College. hense the grubby employees and patrons. My only expereince was to meet some students there over a cheap pizza, (not memorable) but cheap eats, for the students, and I do remember sticky grimy tables, so at least part of the review was right on the point! Hey, it the perception of the writer, and maybe the owner needs to work on making the product taste better than the non collegiate patron, but then again, I am a food snob!]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:32:59 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=833#833 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Mombo's Pizza retorts http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=832#832 Author: tastebud
Subject: Mombo's Pizza retorts
Posted: 15 Jul 2008 at 10:16pm

I am glad I don't have to wait too long for samarati to post a rebuttal. Otherwise I would jump the gun and post a thread named "what a backlash!"

My impression of samarati from reading his many reviews is that he is truly a colorful foodie with strong opinions and striking characters. However, last night I went back to his many recent neutral and negative reviews and found that apparently he broke one unspoken rule in recent months.

That is, he can describe in some reviews certain things that he did not know for a fact. For example, about using electric oven, the sauce comes from a can, factory cheese, from a vendor in a NY City subway station, Sysco frozen patty, school cafeteria crap, rather eat a burger king whopper, came from an airport commissary, get better versions at any Safeway supermarket, made by an Iowa food processing factory . . . . Some of these things might happen in general or in some restaurants he knew of before. But is he sure that it actually happens in the restaurant under review? Mombo's review actually has proven him wrong in some of his speculations.
 
So here is why I conclude that he got a backlash. One can say that the food is terrible, tasteless, tough like leather, greasy greasy greasy, or even flat and ugly. But when one speculates on the source of food ingredient, how the food was made, or compares the food to some fast eatery or supermarket, it could be construed as fictitious, malicious and insulting. I think samarati has crossed the line in that regard.
 
It is crucial for every objective and good-natured reviewer to remember to write what you can see and taste about the food, and not what you imagine how the good or bad food came about that way.
 
I salute Mombo's Pizza for the gutsy review to protest a misdeed while setting the record straight. I also admire samarati for standing up and showing his true self. Having said these, now I hope I am not going to be caught in any crossfire!


Edited by tastebud - 16 Jul 2008 at 11:49am]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:16:51 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=832#832 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Mombo's Pizza retorts http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=831#831 Author: samarati
Subject: Mombo's Pizza retorts
Posted: 15 Jul 2008 at 1:10pm

On July 13th the owner of Mombo's pizza wrote his own review on this website. He challenged some of the opinions that I stated about his pizzeria.  He admirably defends his position. I do enjoy dialog.  But realize that we New Yorker's do not "dialog" - We argue.

Here's my response:
*I'm NOT an expert.  I'm a "foodie" I also cook well.   I'm married to a professional level chef.   I prefer food & drink made from good ingredients that is prepared well.

*People read & enjoy my food reviews because there's a glimmer of hope that I'm going to deliver at least one witty gem about a restaurant or unique dish of food.

*I am NOT a food snob. I prefer reasonably priced good food. I appreciate stratospherically priced Gary Danko, but I’ll eat there once every 10 years. My heart, head, and budget leans towards homey bistros & family owned trattorias. In Sonoma County I most often eat at Café Citti, where a whole roast chicken costs $9.95
*I am 3rd generation NY Italian - (I have the steamship manifests from my paternal grandfather and grandmother who arrived on Ellis Island in 1909).  I lived in New York City’s east village from birth until I was 21 years old.  I ate some really great NY pizza, but unfortunately I had even more really lousy NY pizza.  Even as a youngster I was always looking for new & different places to dine, seeking greener pastures but often landing in a dried-out weed lot.

*Mombo’s does make NYC style pizza.  I call the style "subway station poverty pizza”.  It is not the kind of pizza that I enjoy.
*Yet I am in a minority here.  Mombo's is a successful business.  Mombo's regularly wins awards from the Sonoma County weekly free newspapers.  Mombo's has gotten raves from many customers on other restaurant review websites. Mombo’s is popular
*My unflattering review for Mombo’s stands, warts & all, despite the owner’s displeasure with it.   My opinion of the pizzeria is not the popular one.  But maybe more honest than most.

*If you want a good pizza in Santa Rosa – Sonoma County that is served in a nice clean restaurant; go to Rosso on Montgomery Drive.



Edited by samarati - 15 Jul 2008 at 9:03pm]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:10:51 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=190&PID=831#831 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Mitchell's Ice Cream http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=185&PID=830#830 Author: HealthfulLiving
Subject: Mitchell's Ice Cream
Posted: 26 Jun 2008 at 5:04pm

Hey friends!

I love Mitchell's for the "reminds me of when I was a kid" experience. Because of that, I had this image of down home, homemade ice cream made from "only the finest ingredients available."  Not so.  Artificial ingredients in the hand packed ice cream.... I was bummed. So, I love them for what they are...when I want higher quality...it's Bi-Rite.
]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:04:05 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=185&PID=830#830 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : The perfect Restaurant Village - Kenwood http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=189&PID=829#829 Author: samarati
Subject: The perfect Restaurant Village - Kenwood
Posted: 20 Jun 2008 at 5:21pm

July 9th will mark my first year anniversary of moving to sleepy little Kenwood, Sonoma county.  I am going to become a cheerleader for the food & restaurant scene here.  

The Kenwood population is 1,500.  We have 4 restaurants.  Namely; Kenwood Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Citti, The Vineyards Inn, and Doce Lunas. Additionally one can get some European picnic & deli fare at several of the larger vineyard tasting rooms; like Chateau St. Jean, Ledson, and VJB cellars.  
 
Here's the kicker:  It is impossible to get a bad meal here.  I've eaten at all the places at least 4 times.  I've eaten at Cafe Citti over 30 times.  Every one of these restaurants are owned by the chef who works in the kitchen every night.  All the kitchens are stocked with local produce, meat and dairy.  All serve Sonoma County wines . The Vineyards Inn wine list is almost exclusively Sonoma Valley.  If you want to sample good locavore restaurant food, this town will do you right. 
 
It's summer.  The wineries & tasting rooms are in full swing for your visit.  There are 24 wineries within 10 miles of Kenwood.  Come on up!  We're on Highway 12 mid-way between the town of Sonoma and the city of Santa Rosa.


Edited by samarati - 22 Jun 2008 at 12:28pm]]> Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:21:45 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=189&PID=829#829 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Pet Peeves re: reviews http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=186&PID=828#828 Author: mapleleafgirl
Subject: Pet Peeves re: reviews
Posted: 31 May 2008 at 8:45pm

OK, "bottom Line " probably wasn't the correct term. I have had amazing meals i have rated medicore because the service was so poor, lacking or rude, etc. I do consider atmopshere a huge portion of the equation at higher end places and don't expect it at the local chinese place that has great chicken wings...etc...etc. That being said I don't think any review should NOT include a review of food...that i guess was my point. It's a restaurant review...many things should be included...but food should always be included. Even if i hate the place i should still talk about the food.

Diane
Out
;0)


]]> Sat, 31 May 2008 20:45:24 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=186&PID=828#828 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : $175 Burger? http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=188&PID=827#827 Author: wayne lambright
Subject: $175 Burger?
Posted: 24 May 2008 at 1:53pm

I would have to try that if we had it here in the city.

 
]]> Sat, 24 May 2008 13:53:30 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=188&PID=827#827 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : $175 Burger? http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=188&PID=826#826 Author: Fog City Sales
Subject: $175 Burger?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 1:37pm

What are you willing to pay for a burger?  And are you a go on the gold leaf?

The burger, created by chef and co-owner Kevin O'Connell, seeks to justify its price with a Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.

http://reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN2047220420080520


Edited by wayneAdmin - 27 May 2008 at 9:23am]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 13:37:58 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=188&PID=826#826 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Mitchell's Ice Cream http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=185&PID=824#824 Author: angela von buelow
Subject: Mitchell's Ice Cream
Posted: 10 May 2008 at 7:09pm

The good people at Mitchell's Ice Cream let me know a handful of the places they sell to around the city (list below),  however it's important to remember that the Mitchell’s location at San Jose Ave. and 29th is the only place where all the flavors are available.

Norman’s Ice Cream (Fishermans Warf) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=3862
St. Francis Fountain (Mission) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=202
Sweet House Café (Outer Richmond) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=3863
Golden Island Café (Outer Sunset) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=1129
Sparky’s Diner (Market & Church) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=558
Subs, Inc. (Noe Valley) http://sf.tastyr.com/rd.asp?r=3864
Michaeli’s Wine & Spirits (Marina) 2198 Union St.

Enjoy!]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 19:09:19 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=185&PID=824#824 General Food / Restaurant Discussion : Pet Peeves re: reviews http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=186&PID=823#823 Author: samarati
Subject: Pet Peeves re: reviews
Posted: 10 May 2008 at 5:56pm

Maple leaf Girl's lapse of faith in her reviews and the value of this website are understandable.  Yes the quality of food served in the establishments we visit is important.  Is it the "bottom line" as she stated?  Well, No - This is a restaurant review site.  If I was completely committed to eat only top notch ingredients that are expertly prepared and served in a lovely environment - I'd stay home.  Bambie is a better chef than 90% of SF bay area restaurant cooks. My own cooking skills are above average.  My dining room ay home is certainly better decorated & cleaner than most mom + pop restaurants.
 
I eat out frequently because it's convenient to grab a meal while on the run.  I enjoy the adventure of exotic ethnic cuisines.  I like the social experience of rubbing shoulders with friends & strangers alike in public dining rooms.
 
The occasional downside of SF dining-out is venturing into a restaurant that is poorly run.  Those places that provide cheap ingredients, bad cooking skills, surly service people,  dirty dining rooms & smelly toilets. 

From my review history on this website, it's actually quite amazing that I have not awarded more red negative marks to the poorly run restaurants.  I'm too kind to places that are skating by on mediocrity.
 
I think there would be more honest criticial evaluations of the grade C places, if this site had a more detailed rating system.  (A) through (F) grades like in college or 0 to 5 stars like the other websites.

Personally, I'm going to start awarding RED negatives to restaurants that rate below a C grade.


Edited by samarati - 04 Jun 2008 at 10:01am]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 17:56:08 +0000 http://sf.Tastyr.com/talk/forum_posts.asp?TID=186&PID=823#823