Golden Girls Kitchen, An Honest Review

Picture it, San Francisco, 2013!

If anyone knows me, they know I’m a huge fan of The Golden Girls.

I’ve probably seen every episode a hundred times and laughed out loud every single time. I’ve even told family and friends that should I be blessed to live a long life, I’d live a Golden Girls life!

So of course, when the Golden Girls Kitchen experience finally arrived in San Francisco, my friends and I jumped at the chance. As we were a group of six initially, our dates were difficult to align without the day being sold out. The reviews kept coming in that the space, experience, and the meals that came with the almost $100+ per person ticket were “amazing!”. When five out of six of us were able to get together on a Sunday, all the brunch hours were sold out but dinner at 7pm, which we decided to go for.

The space was much smaller than anticipated, no wonder it was always sold out! You walked in to see the merchandise booth and the Rusty Anchor bar to your left and Sophia’s kitchen to your right. A few tables were lined up leading to Blanche’s bedroom with one side leading to the back end kitchen and another leading to the makeshift lanai. From the lanai, there was a second door to the hall with restrooms before heading to the makeshift living room where there was a larger bar and about ten tables for two lined against the wall. From there, you were led back towards the kitchen and the Rusty Anchor.

The staff seemed annoyed by our presence and ready to call it a day. We were not aware we would be the last guests of the day when the other two tables of guests on the lanai left. There was no one in the indoor tables or bars which we thought was odd considering how we struggled to get tickets on any given day.

The background music was not related to the show whatsoever. Every so often the theme song played but the playlist itself was not relevant to the show or even the 80s. Nonetheless, us gals were occupied in conversation and selfies to mind.

We had pre-ordered, as part of our ticket purchase, five vegetarian lasagna (as the majority of the group is Muslim who don’t eat pork), three slices of chocolate cheesecake, and two slices of strawberry cheesecakes. Drinks, sides, and additional cheesecake flavors were to be ordered day of and charged separately. At the table, we ordered three sodas and mocktails, truffle parmesan fries, regular fries, and fried cheese balls.

The lasagna was not good at all. I think I was the only one hungry enough to begrudgingly finish my serving while everyone else barely ate half of theirs. The fries and cheese balls were very good, the highlight of our meal to be honest. The drinks were small for the price but my mocktail was pretty good.

The cheesecakes were a whole other song and dance. Before we were served our mains, our server came back to let us know they were all out of strawberry cheesecake and they would get us blueberry cheesecake instead at no extra charge. That comment rubbed us the wrong way as it was not our fault the venue ran out of what we had pre-ordered so many weeks prior. She came back again to state that they no longer had blueberry cheesecake and only had chocolate, Oreo, and vegan left. We agreed to one Oreo and one vegan in lieu of the strawberry initially ordered.

We did ask for some of our sides to be discounted since they didn’t have the cheesecake we pre-ordered and they just kept stating that we were already getting it for free. We didn’t push for it further as we had read the reviews that the cheesecakes were so good. Disappointment doesn’t even begin to describe our feelings as we all dug into the cheesecakes. The vegan slice, as one of my friends described it, tasted like candle wax. The rest were completely and utterly warm, almost inedible. After a couple of bites, we either left our slice or packed it to go (my hope to salvage mine after it was refrigerated worked but wasn’t worth it).

The additional costs for the sides and drinks totaled $100 before the enforced gratuity ($50, about 20% of our total costs) that was not included in our ticket purchase.

We did ask the staff to help us take group pictures, which they seem to be annoyed to do. I asked one staff member to take a picture of me by the poster only to have him zoom in on me. Defeats the entire purpose of pictures with the poster but I digress. The group pictures by the poster came out much better. We then as gals took turns taking pictures of each other rather than ask the annoyed staff. Isn’t the picture taking a huge part of the experience? I did get a $30 puzzle before having the doors slammed locked behind us when we walked out.

As I told the social media team who has yet to respond to me that our experience was lackluster. For the price we paid we expected an experience, good food, and a staff friendly enough to not see us as a chore. The Golden Girls Kitchen is indeed overhyped and underdelivered. Maybe something happened in the hours prior to our visit, I don’t know. I just can’t find any justification for our mediocre experience.

Luckily, my gals and I always make the best of our time together and for that I am grateful. Thank you for being a friend!

Let’s Go – Day Trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown

Who’s ready for a day trip? I know I am as it’s been a while since I was able to put a Bay Area day trip together. Let’s Go explore San Francisco’s Chinatown!

North America’s first and largest Chinatown is right here in San Francisco, full of rich culture and history.  Join us on Saturday, July 1st at 10am where we will start at the Chinese Cultural Center (CCCSF) before walking up and down the heart of the hilly town to the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum (CHSAM), lunch at the famous R&G Lounge (yes, the same spot Anthony Bourdain featured on “No Reservations”!), and check out a few cool monuments. Throughout, we’ll of course stop to learn, shop, snack, and capture our day’s adventure. We may even hop on a cable car!

Tentative Itinerary for July 1st:
10am – Meet at Portsmouth Square, 745 Kearny St.
10:15am – Cross the street to CCCSF, 750 Kearny St.
11am – Walk towards CHSAM, 965 Clay St.
12:30pm – Start walking towards R&G Lounge, 631 Kearny St.
2pm – Start walking towards the “Comfort Women” Column of Strength, 651 California St.
2:30pm – Start walking towards the “Dragon Gate”, 401-413 Grant Ave.
3pm – End the day with a group photo.
*Note that itinerary may be updated as we get closer to the day.

Costs:
– While the CCCSF admission is free to visit, the CHSAM is not. Timed admissions tickets are only $12, which must be purchased through their website.
– If you choose to ride the cable car between CHSAM and R&G Lounge, the single fare charge is $8, which you can purchase in advance as instructed by the SFMTA.
– I will confirm by June 17th if a deposit will be required to hold our reservations, based on the number of confirmed attendees.
– You are responsible for the cost of your lunch, snacks, shopping, etc.

All Else:
– Chinatown is quite hilly, PLEASE wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
– All COVID guidelines and recommendations are to be respected and followed.
– Day trip organizers are unpaid volunteers. By agreeing to attend, you assume responsibility for your own safety, conduct, and well-being. Being kind is not that difficult.

Please confirm your attendance by making a comment below or via InterNations. Come with an appetite for food, culture, and engagement. I can’t wait to see you all then!

Links:
SF Chinatown: https://www.sftravel.com/neighborhoods/chinatown
CCCSF: https://www.cccsf.us
CHSAM Tickets: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/512/tickets?eventId=621fd4e4027c761f00ba51ea&cdEventIds=621fd4e4027c761f00ba51ea&date=2023-07-01T00:00:00-0700R&G Lounge: https://www.rnglounge.com
SFMTA: https://www.sfmta.com/fares/cable-car-single-ride
Let’s Go: https://mshala.co/lets-go


Magical Christmas Train Ride

If you do anything this holiday season with the family, head up to the River Fox Train in Sacramento for their annual Magical Christmas Train Ride. My sister in law booked the tickets in advance and we were not disappointed. We sipped on hot cocoa while writing letters to Santa, coloring pictures, and played a competitive game of bingo.

They have both family friendly and adults only Christmas themed train rides throughout the month of December. Throughout the year, there are other seasonal themed rides to check out. River Fox Train staff are really friendly as they guide you your seat, take your snake orders, and host the many activities to do before, during, and after the train ride. The location has plenty of parking, right off highway Make sure to charge up your phones and cameras so you can capture great shots for the gram and memories.

These rides sell fast so grab your family’s Magical Christmas Train Ride tickets today!

Have you strolled through the historic Maiden Lane of San Francisco?

Cancelled – Let’s Brunch with Ms. Hala & Friends

Tickets On Sale Now!

Our family has sadly experienced a tragedy with the death of our uncle last night. As such, we have decided with our partners to cancel the brunch event tomorrow until further notice.

All tickets will be refunded in full via the ticketing site.

We appreciate the support and partnership of My Good Pie and our fellow sponsors. Our family appreciates your kind thoughts and understanding during this difficult time.

Join us for an engaging conversation over brunch!

We will come together Saturday, September 24th at 11am to converse over a special set brunch menu at My Good Pie.

Located at 300 De Haro Street in San Francisco, My Good Pie is a women-owned eatery with plenty of parking and near multiple public transportation lines.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for only $35 Tickets are on sale now at $40. Get them before prices go up on September 20th. Spaces are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis.

Click here to buy tickets! If you prefer Venmo or Zelle, please email hala@mshala.co.

Event sponsorship and on-site vendor opportunities are now available. Please email hala@mshala.co for more details.

T&Cs: Ticket prices before September 20th are set at $35/each. On and after September 20th, ticket prices will be $40/each. Ticket includes entrance, meal, and drink(s). All else will be sold separately by either My Good Pie or participating vendors. Tickets are limited to the number of seats available, sold on a first come first serve basis. All sales are final. All sales are final

This is a business venture by Ms. Hala under Hatshepsut Enterprise, LLC.