Neighborhood Gem: Doyle Street Cafe

I needed a break after planning my work's annual company-wide event and before hosting our Chicago office's open house. So why not go to San Francisco? It's been 11 years since the last time I was there, and that was far too long.

Because of pricing, and one other reason you'll see why soon, the hotel I chose to stay was in Emeryville, across the Bay. You see, when the lights go down in the City, and the sun shines on the Bay. Do I want to be there in my city? Okay. I'll stop, but I'm sure you have that earworm going in your head now.

Anyway...as usual, I was starving in the morning. Nothing new there. Likewise, without knowing where to head, I pulled up Yelp to find a place to eat. Doyle Street Cafe was nearby and so I thought, why not? Wow! I'm glad I did stop by, because this is totally a neighborhood gem!

Bordering a neighborhood and a quasi-industrial area, this cafe isn't large, but it's big on service and flavors. One of many reasons I miss my home state. John was the server and he was awesome. I was torn between Joe's Eggs and the Wet Breakfast Burrito. John asked me, "How hungry are you?" I replied, "I'm totally hungry!", so he recommended the Breakfast Burrito.

It was filled with chicken chenzo sausage, cilantro, tomatillo sauce....Wait. Let me just show you.

The fresh avocado was worth the price of admission alone. I was having a fiesta in my mouth! I didn't even attempt to eat the most of the potatoes, because after seeing that monster burrito, I knew I couldn't finish it, no matter how hungry I was.

So if you're ever in the neighborhood, check out Doyle Street Cafe. It's so worth it. Do I have to tell you it's located on Doyle Street?

Happy Halloween, Y'All!

From Donald to you, have a fun and safe Halloween!

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat!" (Or Is It Little Goat?)

I read this article in the Wall Street Journal today about how 'Alice in Wonderland' translates into different languages. If you thought Lewis Carroll's work was trippy in English, you should see what happens to one of my favorite quotes by the Dormouse.

Like me, you might laugh at the Italian version, but wow. The Slovenians are really in a Wonderland of their own.

Click on the picture to see a larger version of it, but click here to read the full WSJ article.

Art of Disney Animation - Sketchbook Ornament Collection 2015

This is the second year the Disney Store has offered a limited release ornament series that is revealed and available each month. It's brilliant. You have to check back often to collect them all, and they never announce when the ornament is released.

I'm bummed I missed Ichabod Crane, but I was able to get Philoctetes last month. Today, I just randomly checked out the site and found that one of my favorite Fantasia 2000 segments, Rhapsody in Blue, was available. I'm lucky to have picked up Duke, Rachel and Alex!

Next month is Cheshire Cat, so you know that one will sell out immediately.

To see the entire series, click here.

These Shirts Are So Ghoul!

I tell you, TeeFury is an addiction. It's like eating potato chips; you can't stop with just one. If you're not familiar with TeeFury, they feature a different shirt, or two shirts, per day. You get them at a discounted rate. After that, you pay a little more. They have some really talented artists that submit work.

Right now, they are featuring a BeastPop Takeover Collection in one of their many galleries. Below are three of my favorites.

By far, my favorite are the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion.

 

My next favorite is Sally as a Haunted Mansion maid.

My least favorite is Jack as a Haunted Mansion butler.  It's probably because his face reminds me of Jim Carrey in 'The Mask.' But I love the concept.

These shirts won't be around forever, so pick them up before they retire!

Disney Infinity Awakes!

Just announced! Disney Infinity will be releasing a Star Wars - The Force Awakens play set! Details are sparse at the moment, but the release should coincide with the movie release.

Read more here.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Wait for it...