I'm feeling guilty for the lag in blogging, but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit. Lot's of places to recap and because of that, they are all getting rolled into one gigantic awesome blog. You ready?

Places of consumption:
- Cappellini (San Mateo)
- Cav Wine Bar (Downtown/Civic Center)
- RNM (Lower Haight)
- Absinthe (Hayes Valley)
- Rex Café (Russian Hill)
- Blue Light (Marina)

Cappellini- The recap. Been there many times and continue to be very impressed. Ask for the two-seat booths near the back stair case. Interesting crowd to watch while dinning. Crowd ranges from families grabbing a bite to eat after their school recitals finish, to San Mateo townies, to couples ranging in age looking for a nice dinner out. Tip: Ask for a half order of ravioli and get the most bang for your buck. I like the banana-butternut squash and mushroom ravoli. G likes the clams, beet salad and eating whatever I don't finish. Everything is made fresh on premise, including the bread. The wine list is above average with below average prices. Go for a special night out. Don’t go the night before leaving on a 9-day business trip. Get dessert. 4 out of 5 stars.

Cav Wine Bar- Well, it’s been a while so I’m lacking some of the details. The décor is nice, a bit barren yet clean and crisp for the area. I guess in my opinion, I would prefer a more comfortable, plush setting if I’m going to down some expensive wine. We ate some cheese, butternut gratin, and asparagus paried with pinot and cab. That's all I can remember that stands out. The fact that nothing stands out to me makes me that something was lacking……….so it couldn’t have been *that* impressive. Nice for an after work drink and snack, but seemed a bit overpriced to go for a sit-down dinner. Plus I spent kindergarden through 12th grade sitting in metal chairs. Don't need to do it again while eating an expensive dinner. Check it out before it vanishes. Restaurants in civic center don’t tend to stay too long! 3 out of 5 stars.

RNM- Been twice now and continue to enjoy the atmosphere and food at this establishment. We were greeted by the owner at the door on both occasions with a warm, and perhaps too warm of a smile for G. The owner claimed to have the same shirt as G. Yeah, sure you do.....Up to you, but we like to eat at the bar……and for the ladies, the bar does have hooks for your purse. Nice touch. We ordered the cheese plate and beet salad to start. The cheese plate is excellent, large range of tastes, served with select fruits and different breads. G ordered fish in the past that was excellent and we usually split the side of mac and cheese. G also bites on the pate and some other things that vegetarians such as myself tend to steer clear from. However, they did look decedent and G seemed pleased with the tastes. I recommend this place for a contemporary dinner, with a nice atmosphere. The lighting is just right and it’s small enough to be intimate yet doesn’t make you feel like you are dinning in central Mumbai such as so many other restaurants in town. 5 out of 5 stars

Rex Café- Visited this restaurant for brunch recently with my brother. Yes, I do have a brother, actually two. Not much to write here. Service was ok, food was ok, atmosphere was ok. I’m not a huge fan of Polk Street anyway so it somewhat fit my expectations. Go if you are starving and don’t want to wait in line at Mama’s in North Beach. Don’t go if you are expecting something different. 2.5 out of 5 stars since there was no wait.

Blue Light- Thought I would throw this one in here since it is baseball season. Baseball season = red sox. Red sox= 4pm games on the west coast. 4 pm games on the west coast = happy hour. Blue light has the usual drinks, each day a new happy hour special which range from $2 pacifico, $4 margaritas, $4 Jim beam/coke. Not bad. Get there early and score a table in the back. If you are nice, you’ll get the one friendly waitress there. I don’t need to describe her here as she is one of the few waitresses I have seen in this town that actually smiles and is polite. Various bar food for cheap prices balance out all those $4 drinks, such as chips, dip and guacamole, fries, etc. You get the picture. This place can get crowed but is much easier to *really* see a game then some of the other sports bars in the area. Check it out next time your boss leaves early for the day. 3.75(ha!) out of 5 stars.

Absinthe- Getting tired of writing now so I’ll keep this quick. Absinthe has some interesting things on the menu that I’m sure are tasty but are not very suitable for all you vegetarians out there. I recommend going for wine/cheese. Seemingly over-priced for what you get but not too bad for SF. Most customers are in deep discussion of what show/opera/symphony they just attended which can be interesting. G said the clams are good. Lot’s of talk of this restaurant but I just can’t give it a high rating due to it’s apparent lack of veggie options. Yes, I know you are all saying, but it’s French blah blah blah. Hey, sorry, this is San Francisco. You can eat veggie dogs at the ballpark. I would expect a veggie entrée on the menu. 3 out of 5 stars.