by Matthew L. on Came here yesterday with rateclubser Gloria C. and 3 others for a night out on the town for the menage-trois menu. Two years ago, I had been here with rateclubser Sigourney W. for our friend Anna's goodbye party, and both experiences were about the same. Food tasted the same, dancers were the same, service was the same, and restaurant's clientele was the same. Food was still pricey, however the menu prices didn't change since the last time I was here. If you come here on a Friday -or- Saturday, you *must* get the menage-trois menu if you are a party of less than 5. On all other days, you can order a la carte, which kind of sucked because one of my friends wanted to order a la carte, but he couldn't. Two years ago when I came here, I came with a party of 20, and I didn't think there was enough food for all of us. We ordered the platinum menu along with a whole lot of drinks, and boy did we have a good time! Not only that, but Margaret Cho made a special visit that day, so that topped the night off. Since the platinum menu is a sampling menu, we got to try a little bit of each of the appetizers and main courses. As a guy, I didn't think it was enough and I was left a little hungry. Speed forward 2 years later, having the menage-trois menu, we each got a full appetizer, entree, and dessert, which was fairly filling. Total for the menage-trois menu is $39+tax/tip. For a group of 5, they tack on a 20% service charge and 4% healthy SF tax, so totalling $55. It was quite an expensive night, but hey--part of the total is paying for the dance show that is included *and* the access to the club/lounge down stairs. I had ordered the ahi tuna sashimi appetizer (spicy and creamy), the filet mignon (comes with eggplant which compliments well-if you like eggplant), and the fried banana dessert (with vanilla ice cream, yummy!)--all of which were fairly standard at any Asian Fusion restaurant and nothing that screamed *wow* or *special*. Despite the 2 year gap that spanned this current visit and my last visit 2 years ago, the food quality remained the same--fairly average, nothing special, but definitely tasty if you're on a HUNGRY stomach...which I definitely was. Now, on to the show--the show was definitely a treat. When do you get to see gender illusionists dance in front of you? Once in a blue moon. From what I remembered from my last visit 2 years ago, the dance show pretty much hadn't changed, with the exception of the music choice (after all, you have to reflect dance routines with contemporary music!). My lady friends (especially Gloria C.) enjoyed the show wholeheartedly and commented on how awesome the show was, but my guy friend was a little uncomfortable, and spoiled the mood of the show. I enjoyed my experiences both times I came here, but as rateclubser Angie K. says, your experience is dependent on who you go with and where you are seated. When I came here 2 years ago, I came with a really large group and we all had a great time. We also ordered a lot of alcohol, so it made the night even more memorable and fun. This latest experience was still fun, but we didn't order any alcohol (besides the free complimentary shot when you check in on rateclubs), so none of us were tipsy (and therefore, willing to "let loose"). As I had stated before, the mood was a little spoiled with my guy friend who looked constipated and uncomfortable. So, as a recommendation, you should come here with friends who are willing to spend at least $50 on dinner (as students, this may be hard) and who are willing to have *fun* and *open* to new things (not everyone can be comfortable with the concept of Asia SF). Usually...larger groups work better as it enhances the "fun" environment here at AsiaSF. Anyway, if you follow these 2 recommendations, you will be bound to have a great and enjoyable time!
by Dara F. on For the most part I like MJQ. The fact that it's so hard to find and literally underground makes the crowd diverse and purposeful. They play really good music on Fridays (mostly underground hip hop before midnight-ish (thing mos def, tribe) and crunk and popular hip hop later on. Drinks are cheap. The extra little room usually has soul/house music playing and people usually break dance and stuff which is cool. Definitely a hole-in-the-wall type atmosphere - gritty, dark, and tight - but if you like that sorta thing that's cool. What I dont like is the cover. The first time I went there like 2 years ago it was $5. A year later they raised it to $10. RIDICULOUS. I'm going to drink, guys, why are you charging a huge cover like there's live music going on in there? I've vowed never to go back for that simple reason. Plus, last time I went it was SUPER crowded and I caught a bug and was sick for days after using the bathroom (yes, im blaming their bathroom. its gross, which i can usually handle, but damn) If MJQ seems appealing, I'd check out Lenny's Bar certain nights or el bar first...cheaper and a lot of the same feeling!
by Harmony Mckin on I find myself here when there is nothing else happening in the city. Be sure to hit an ATM before you go inside because it is cash only here! What is with that? It gets packed on the weekends, the dance floor is small but its jumping. I've had some complaints about the music, but overall the djs are good. There is smoking section for those tobacco connoisseurs, and crepes a go go a block away if you're hungry for a midnight snack.
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