Baseball, what else...
 
John Miller reports that Arizona Diamondback's "Big Unit" Randy Johnson had mentioned to Giants' Ace Jason Schmidt and Super Barry that "...it would be great to be back in the Bay Area..."  Boy, when its a huge rumor like this, I'm very naive and prone to turning it into FACT!  Can you imagine the possibilities!?!
 
Rich Aurilia, released by the AL Seattle Mariners on July 10, was picked up by the San Diego Padres!  (Yes, he'll be with the team when they're at SBC Park on Wednesday and Thursday this week!)  This is wonderful news cuz I just absolutely love Aurilia's game (on and off the field).  He hasn't had a very good year with the Mariners (I believe his BA was at .241, 4 homers and 28 RBI), but gettin back to the NL and with a hot team like the Pads may be just what he needed.  Plus, I'm happy I'll get to see him play.  I'm hopeful in visiting Petco Park this season.
 
Restaurant Reviews:
 
Barracuda, Burlingame at 347 Primrose Road (Contemporary Japanese Cuisine) - excellent ambiance, decent prices and excellent portions.  I had lunch here on a weekday and it was QUIET!  Arrived right at opening time, 11:30 a.m. and was seated immediately and received timely service after placing our orders.  It is ALWAYS bustling at dinnertime.  Great variety on the menu and I absolutely loved the tasty fried calamari appetizer with a hint of ginger sauce lightly sprinkled atop the entire order.  Sushi bar available.  Their take-home menu lists their url as www.barracudasushi.com, but I think they're still building it...
 
Okazu Ya, San Francisco on Taraval (and 28th) (Japanese) - EXCELLENT and timely service, superb customer service, great prices for the portions, extensive "specials" list (from appetizers to dishes).  Dinner on a Monday night and it was PACKED.  They are closed on Tuesdays, but open at the Noriega location (the Taraval location is supposedly 'better').  The clientele this evening consisted of obvious regulars and locals.  Seated immediately.  Order taken promptly.  Food served fresh and quickly.  Glasses of water refilled!  (always a plus in my book).  I've heard great things about their specials menu, incl. a soft shell crab appetizer, Trout and Chilean Sea Bass dinners.  There are a couple of different Okazu Ya's in the city but I'm unclear if their popularity extends beyond SF. 
 
Pho Van, Portland at 1919 SE 82nd and 1012 NW Glisan in the Pearl District (Vietnamese) - One of the things I miss MOST in Portland!  Absolutely exquisite menu, including desserts!  Their spring rolls are to-die-for.  I'm sure I might be able to find a comparable Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area, but Pho Van is just one of those places I will be sure to go out of my way to visit when I'm in Portland - just like I would visit Burgerville (during the 'right' season: January - March) for those absolutely yummy Chocolate Hazelnut milkshakes (and don't forget the Cheeseburgers which use authentic local Tillamook Sharp Cheddar)!  My perfect day in Portland would include: a Portland Beavers game at PGE Park, Powell's Book Store, Pho Van, Burgerville and sales tax-free shopping baby!