Behind the Bar

A Locals Design Guide to Bars, Restaurants, and Lounges.

Dec 15, 2008

Oh Sweet Nectar!


Unabridged

Candybar

Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
1335 Fulton St(between Broderick St & Divisadero St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 673-7078

In The Know: The first I have ever heard of this place was from an anonymous comment on my "I have been flagged" review. It read, "i posted a review of 'candy bar' based on my perceptions of walking by it, reading their menu, and concluding that the place looks like jcrew and wasn't a good fit for the neighborhood." I, obviously never being one to judge, couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to check out a place that was both full of a certain J Crew wearing type of people in a neighborhood that is not exactly J Crew friendly. And having one of the best HH's I have ever heard of doesn't hurt either. I needed to investigate. First impression: I could not see J Crew in the people at all. I could, however, see where someone might mistake this place for a retail shop. Could it be the over sized book shelf looking object used to divide the front lounge from the back tables? It does look as though it could have housed several sweater vests and polo's on it. Possibly the bar and furniture wood accents? The sharp angular edges and color does come off a bit Banana Republicy. How about the lighting scheme?...

Behind the Bar:
I have talked to all parties that either own or operate this place so if I was to gossip, it would be oh so juicy. However, as previously mentioned, I talk to them every week now. I wouldn't want a high school he said, he said (to my knowledge it is all men that work there) kinda situation. So to save all parties from a civil war, I am going to give you just what I think. Isn't that all that matters anyways?...

Who's Who: One would think that since there are a plethora of board games that it would be fun for the whole family. False! I would not like to see little kids running around this place. One there isn't enough room to run around. Two if im on a romantical after dinner date, the last thing I want to concern myself with is a child staring at me as I deliver sexual innuendos over a game of Shoots and Ladders. (you might be surprise how much that game can get anyone into the right mood;) It is a great place to meet some girlfriends/boyfriends after work. It is an even better place if you go on a date, realize that you have absolutely nothing in common with the person sitting across from you, however they insist that you at least eat dessert. Instead of continuing on with the utter bore that is your date, you can take him to Candybar where at least you have a game and fantastically delicious dessert to occupy your time before rushing home to call your girlfriends and discuss how just because they are a rocket scientist for NASA doesn't make them interesting. Enjoy!

Nov 14, 2008

I have been flagged!




I thought I would include this little tasty morsel the editors on Yelp just sent me. I have been flagged! Apparently you are not allowed to review a restaurant if you have worked there. It seems that mentioning the gays, or the supreme parenting of Barry Bonds, or what kind of crazy restaurant owners would place a crotchy clown peering out over the stuffy Porsche driving crowd, didn't get the plug pulled on me. Solely the fact that I worked there was enough for the iron hand of the law to squash me. God forbid you read a review on yelp that is actual fact.

Hi Sheyna,
I'm writing to let you know about our decision to remove your review of Boboquivari's. Your review was flagged by the Yelp community, and our Customer Service team has determined that it falls outside our review guidelines (
http://www.yelp.com/faq#great_review) because it appears as though you were an employee of the business you reviewed.
As a valued member of our community, we hope you will continue to provide great reviews, while keeping in mind our Review Guidelines. See you on Yelp!
Regards,
E*#^r
Yelp User Support
San Francisco, California

The guidelines state "The best reviews are personal and experiential, and tend to offer helpful suggestions, perhaps even an insider tip or two. " Yet the next guideline is "You should not review your own business or a business at which you have been or are currently employed." Isn't that a conflict of interest? You want an insider look, which I gave you, and yet you don't actually want an insider look. That makes perfect sense. You welcome people to pass judgement on some place they have been to once but a person that is actually in the know, no no no, their voice will not be heard. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand not wanting a current employee to write bad reviews of your place. Lets face it, other than a hand full of people, who really likes the place that they work and wouldn't want to rip the employer a new a**hole? But why is it we, as employee's, can't keep our employers on their toes also. Wouldn't a review written by an employee make an employer strive to be even better to avoid that review? Wouldn't that, in turn, make the employee like the employer more and hence work harder for the them? Have I lost you yet? Alls im saying is nobody thats wants to keep their job would write something bad about the place they are currently working. And if you are no longer working there and don't plan on using that place as a reference...ever, why the heck is it such a big deal to tell people what it is really like at there favorite dining spot. How could you enjoy your Tuna Tartare w/ Wasabi vinaigrette, lotus chips and avocado cucumber salad knowing the the staff that is serving it is run by tyrant?

Lucky for you, editors of Yelp, there is no other place in San Francisco I have worked because believe you me, I would come at you with a fiery fury no man or woman could ever put out! Grrrrrrr.