Arrive to the restaurant 20 minutes early — of course, there are neither peanuts nor cashews in the kitchen. (This is a Japanese dinner.) — Do a quick scan and realize that you are going to destroy your palate in about 30 seconds — Taste the nori. It is, indeed, delicious — Think about networking. Go to the restroom — Say something awkward. Drink more — This is the dish cooked by the (famous!) Top Chef contestant — listen to another woman brag about her old NYC job — bright, briny uni pop on top of this quiet background — Only in California, bitches! — offers you a ride to your next rendezvous, saving you about an hour of Muni transfers between the restaurant and the Tenderloin — white beans (??) — You don't finish your plate, not even the spinach — a magical concoction that tastes just like the tasty goo that oozes out of properly roasted yams — about to take a post-service shot — walk out into the foggy chill of the city.
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