Jerry C.'s Profile

I really try to avoid writing "pile on" reviews -- aka reviews that merely agree with the preponderance of the existing reviews, but here goes.

When we walked in this morning, we were shocked at the redesigned space.  Moving out the roaster (it is now at another location) and opening up the back for seating is an excellent and welcome change.  Way to go Barefoot!  But if that was the only distinguishing feature of this visit, I wouldn't write this review.

The espresso was excellent -- as usual.  Although I must add that Kate (who pulled my shot) was hyper-picky (she was using the Naked portafilter and thus could see all of the imperfections of her technique...and I was the only one waiting for a drink) and rejected the first two of her own pulls before declaring the shot I received as adequate.  Wasteful?  Yes?  Yummy -- well, absolutely!

But...the real reason for the review (and the 5 stars) was the customer service.  I wanted "off the menu" (as in not on the shelf) beans.  Kate gleefully agreed -- realizing only later that moving the roasting operation to a new location meant that she was left without any bags for those pesky beans.

Now, I have been in situations like this before and well...the responses vary.  Often the response from a beguiled staffer presented with a non-standard issue -- "We don't do that here".  Well, that "typical of other shops response" was not the response from Kate...the response from Kate was "have no fear"...and ingenious as ever (after all what containers does a coffee shop always have)...I departed with my favored beans, hot coco for the girls and a yummy taste in my mouth from the shot.

Thanks Kate.  Thanks Barefoot.  Another happy customer.  5 stars.

I am actually somewhat surprised that there is only one review of Susy Dorn's class and that it is so dated.  I am not sure that I can add much to Frances' review except to say that I whole-heartedly agree with it.  Especially the "hands down BEST Spanish immersion class" part.

My 5 year old loves Susy's classes...and most importantly...my 5 year old is really learning Spanish.

And, the CDs and DVDs will amaze both those that take the class and those that don't -- those CDs and DVDs teach just as effectively.  I suspect that fact is because the CDs and DVDs are just like the classes.

Two more relevant points.  One is diction.  Susy is incredibly clear in her pronunciation.  This is invaluable for someone who is trying to learn a foreign language both by ear and by sight.  Those of us older kids can actually "see" the words that Susy speaks.  The second point is musicianship.  Susy teaches mainly by song.  And what stands out is that her music is compelling.  Not only is it catchy for the kids, but even my musician wife is impressed by the quality of the compositions (Susy writes and sings her own songs) and the quality of the singing.

I am a bit mixed with giving this review -- Susy deserves a 5 star review, but it is hard enough getting into her classes.  Maybe I could ask that you don't pass this review on.  Wow, maybe THAT is why there aren't many reviews for Susy!  Shoot.  I guess that I blew it.

I too was at the 2007 Half Moon Bay dinner that Kristy attended (although I don't know Kristy).  Other than the TV camera crew from NBC's Today Show (they were a bit invasive), the dinner was wonderful.  There were six courses (3 of which were seafood) and 4 wine parings (see pictures for menu) -- Jen Biesty (Coco 500) did a tremendous job.

Kristy's description of OiTF's mission ("They want to get people closer to their food") is spot on, but deserves a bit of elaboration.  Jim Denevan and Katy Orsler (the pair behind OiTF) are focused on bringing the meal to the source of the meal's ingredients.  Typically, these dinners are hosted at a farm or an orchard and the table (often only one long white table-clothed table) is actually IN the rows of vegetables or AMONG the trees.

The Half Moon Bay dinner was a seafood dinner and the table was on the beach underneath a cliff -- and yes, one side of the table was set extremely close to the surf.  The fisherman (fish monger, actually) is shown in the pictures (he in the blue shirt playing with his kid) was a joy to speak with -- as was his wife.  We were really able to learn more about the local fishing industry from him (the joys, the challenges, etc.) -- and that is really what these OiTF dinners are all about.

The first 1/2 of the book Omnivore's Dilemma (by Michael Pollan) spends quite a bit of time presenting the way North Americans normally eat -- quite separated from the source of our food.  In fact, when we eat at a fast-food chain, we often don't even know what food is actually contained in the food-stuff that we eat.  OiTF is the absolute opposite of this.

At a typical OiTF table, the distance between the ingredients and the table is extremely short -- in many cases, just a few yards.  Diners get to look into the eyes of the producers / gatherers of the food and into the eyes of the staff that is preparing the food.  We get to ask questions like "if you don't use pesticides, how do you control insects?" and then we get to listen to the answers and judge those responses for ourselves.

My wife and I have attended 4 dinners over the last two years -- a dinner in an apple orchard, the 2007 Half Moon Bay dinner, and two of the Foraging Feast dinners.

I cannot commend this group to you yelpers enough.

Yes, I wish the price were lower, but I have a couple of important comments to add on the price.  First, while my wife and I have been lucky enough to attend dinners within driving distance of our home, we have sat with others that have flown from Seattle or LA just to attend the dinner -- it really is that good of an experience.  And second -- no, this is not just an "elite thing."  I have dined with plenty of folks that would describe themselves as "blue collar."  And in one instance at our first OiTF dinner, one of these folks (in describing her mid-west roots) exalted "this is the way we used to eat when I was growing up...I miss this."

And so it is.

I hope to see you at an OiTF table soon.  5 stars.

Bite describes itself as "American Tapas".

It clearly is a "hip" place among the locals and the tourists "in the know".

We had a light dinner and were able to get in an out quickly.  Given the large parties that were in the dining room and the fact that they do not take reservations for groups smaller than 6, I suspect that were were able to get a table (and thus get in and out quickly) because we arrived at 6pm.  I would not be surprised if a different combination of later dinner and heavier weekend (we were mid-May), might have added up to a long wait.

We split a Chinese Chicken Salad that had slightly too much dressing but was otherwise perfect.  The size was just right for two (not too much and not too little).  The combinations of tastes (including cashews, Mandarin Orange chunks, other delights) was well balanced and not too overwhelming.

We also split two of their "slider" dishes -- Ahi Tuna and Philly Cheese-steak.  Both were well made and appropriately proportioned for a "tapas-style" dish.  The Ahi was sushi-grade, seared perfectly and served with arugula (or "rocket").  The taste was wonderful (and simple).  I can only find disappointment in the plain-white hamburger bun that it was served in.  Of course, this was billed as a "slider" so there really can't be much fault in their choice.

There is nothing much to say about the Philly Cheese-steak slider...it was exactly what you would expect from a dish bearing that name.

The one thing that stuck out was the service.  It was attentive without being intrusive.  They were busy, yet our water glasses never got less than 1/4 full.  The hostess did not "hang out" at the hostess stand but rather ran "pseudo-waitress" through the dining room -- offering any additions (e.g., drink refills, check) that seemed needed.

Overall it was a really good experience.  4 stars in our book.

There is not much that one can say about a Hospital Emergency Room.  They are typically cold, impersonal places that are full of over-worked people and sick, cranky unappreciative patients.

This ER was none of those things.  Perhaps it was because this is a small community.  Whatever the reason, we had a wonderful experience.

The triage / ER nurse was very nice and patient with us.  She listened carefully  and communicated with us regarding next steps extremely well.

The admission desk was staffed by a woman that at first appeared bureaucratically-efficient and potentially impersonal.  Within 5 minutes we realized that this woman (who was also the insurance advocate for the hospital's patients) was extremely warm and caring (while still being extremely efficient).  While she was entering our information into their computer system she was reassuring us (the quintessential concerned parents of a sick toddler) that the doctor that was assigned to us was "the best" (see separate review of Dr. Dianne Higgins, M.D.).

If there was any downside to the hospital -- it was that their exam room was a bit cool (around 65 deg.).

Now, I am not able to tell whether this is the ER for a motorcycle accident or severed limb.  I speculate, however, that no one will take time to Yelp the various hospitals in that situation.

I can tell you that if you are looking for an alternative to the local urgent/acute care center (and we were), this is a great alternative.

4 stars and we will definitely return if the need ever arises.

We were on vacation with a sick 2-year old daughter.  Our pediatrician at home (who we had called periodically) finally asked that we take our daughter into an acute/urgent care center to be looked at.  For a variety of reasons, we chose to go to the local hospital (Incline Village Community Hospital -- separate review to come).  It was at the hospital that we met Dr. Higgins.

This review is less about Dr. Higgins' competence with the subject of out visit (it was excellent) and more about how she treated us and our daughter.

First, Dr. Higgins was extremely slow and gentle with our daughter.  During her very through examination of our 2-year old (which involved lots of abdominal probing), our 2-year old never backed away or cried.  Dr. Higgins found us in the exam room with our daughter on my shoulder and rather than force my daughter to move to the exam table, Dr. Higgins conducted as much of the exam as possible with our daughter on my shoulder.  Most importantly, however, Dr. Higgins constantly told my daughter WHAT she was about to do and then waited until that statement registered with my daughter -- it was almost like D. Higgins was "asking permission" from my daughter for each poke and prod.

Next, and equally important, was how Dr. Higgins treated my wife and me.  First, some background to give context to this part of this review.  My family is -- well -- not mainstream.  Our daughter was a midwife assisted home-birth and has not been subjected to the full-array of immunizations.  In addition, in a recent doctor's visit for ear pain (with a doctor that was substituting for our normal pediatrician), antibiotics were prescribed for what this stand-in doctor said "might" be an ear infection -- we never administered those antibiotics (and the pain disappeared the next day -- antibiotics weren't needed).  As you can tell, my wife and I do not blindly follow traditional western medicine and thus, needless to say, we are a "challenge" to traditional western medical professionals.  Nevertheless, Dr. Higgins took each "nonstandard answer" with grace and equanimity.  Please understand that my wife and I are NOT used to mainstream doctors reacting with anything other than condescension and judgment.  In stark contrast, Dr. Higgins was wonderful with us -- clearly working outside her comfort zone and expanding her exam to include lots of possibilities that are typically ruled out in fully immunized kids.  Second, my wife and I are -- some would say -- over-educated.  And as a result, we ask LOTS of quesions.  Dr. Higgins seemed not just tolerant of the questions but genuinely pleased that we were so interested in each minute detail of the possible medical problems, their diagnostic indicators / counter-indicators, treatments, and risks.

I could go on, but I'll leave this review here.  Dr. Higgins gets 5 stars in our book.