by Lyn N. on Another concept of Asian Fusion and sushi with jacked up prices. Nothing special about it really. Even though the food is more Westernized, I have to admit, their vegetable fried rice wasn't bad at all. The vegetable dumplings could use a little more work though, but it was still a decent portion and quite tasty. Their service is as expected of a middle class restaurant. I think Aja is trying to be up there, but I can't really see Asian food being priced so high. I don't mind the concept of valet parking and having a hostess greet you at the door, but sometimes I think it can be unnecessary, especially when there is a huge parking deck right next to the restaurant. At least it is complimentary. During the winter times, they also have some thing of a free/complimentary coat check in which is nice especially if you got there for the dancing/lounging part. For a place to eat, I think it is OK. It may be a place more suitable for happy hour or an evening lounge to have a drink and relax/chill. The environment: I have to admit, I love the patio/outdoor concept and I like the ambiance and decor very much. I think who ever decorated this place did a swell job. For those looking for a late night place to go out to, but don't want to pay for cover, Aja is a good place to go to. I have never been disappointed with the music here. The Dj does a good job (even on Latin nights). However, it may be good to check the day of if there is a big event/promotional event going on. You don't want to show up and find out there is a $20 cover at the door. That is definitely not worth it. In my opinion, the dance floor is a bit small and can get crowded very quickly. Since this place is more of lounge like - there are some chairs and tables that are not VIP reserved which a girl or guy can take a break from the dance floor and sit down.
by August Silago on Beautiful view, but damn are the drinks PRICEY! I've never paid so much money for ONE cocktail ($24 with 18% gratuity built in). A coworker had been dying to check out the place so I agreed to go for happy hour at 4pm on a thursday. The elevator ride was already an experience. It was dark in there and they had these 2 plasma screens that showed some visual images. Kinda weird but cool too. Finally got to the 18th floor and the bar. There are floor to ceiling glass windows on all sides with gorgeous views! The bar is in the middle of the whole place and the menu doesn't show you the price (surprise!). My friends ordered some desserts which were small but $10 each. Didn't try it but didn't look too good to me. The bartender pretty much told us it's impossible to party there unless you are part of a private party; otherwise it's closed to the public after 10pm. All the hype about the bathroom is true! I went to look for the ladies room but soon realized that all the doors around the corner were all individual restrooms. You open one and you are treated to yet another floor to ceiling window but this one has a little black curtain from the waist down. The back of the door is a mirror. Pretty interesting experience overall.
by Reid Welsch on I went to Temple for the first time last weekend after hearing all about it from EVERYONE I knew who got to go to the free Goapale concert there that I MISSED :(. I wasn't sure what to expect, but here are my thoughts: Cool bouncers, no attitude, which is a welcome change at SF clubs. Nice decor and HUGE venue, but wasted because all techno except for hip hop crammed into one HOT and tiny room. It doesn't make sense to me. Hip hop draws a bigger crowd and is more fun to dance to, so why not allow one of the larger rooms for it? It may have been just that night that it was like that, though. I just can't get into techno usually. Also, this is a side note, but there were a lot of really GEEKY guys... We didn't stay long because we wanted to dance to hip hop, but I would definately go back.
