Alicea W.'s Profile

You should never judge a book by its cover.  I learned that in first grade, and it still holds true today.  Alto seems to attract customers who walk by the restaurant and thought the decor was too pretty to pass up.  Resist that urge!  The food really is not that great.  The menu consists of mundane items like "Penne Pasta," "1/2 Roasted Chicken," or "Spinach Lasagna."  I can order these items at Applebee's and it won't cost $20 for the entree and $7 for parking.  I usually remember what dishes I order at restaurants, but for the life of me, I cannot remember what I had at Alto.  That just shows that the food really was not memorable.  So remember, don't judge a book by its cover.  Unless it's Catcher in the Rye, I still think that book is as boring or weird as its cover.

1 star off: boring food
1 star off: boring desserts
1 star off: boring music

This is one of my favorite coffee places in town.  Lots of tables.  Comfy couches.  Good lighting.  Hot coffee.  Cozy decor.  Soft music.  Free Wi-Fi.  Free parking.  People come here to get work done, but the atmosphere is not too studious that I feel like I am in a geeky library.  There are not many outlets, but you can ask for an extension cord.

1 star off: Where's all the coffee shop pastries?  A girl needs her carbs!!!

I have been to Lola several times and it is kind of hit-or-miss in terms of the quality of food, but overall, it has been pleasant and I am happy to recommend Lola.  There is patio seating, so it's perfect for a weekend brunch on a warm day.  The Stuffed Toast (strawberry compote, brioche, spiced rhubarb syrup), Pulled Pork Belly Sandwich (pickled jalapeño bbq, pickled slaw, fried egg), the Mexican Hot Chocolate, and the tableside-prepared guacamole are my favorites.  You can customize the guacamole to your liking; I usually add extra garlic.  I don't like vampires.

1 star off: for the few times that their food tasted like cafeteria food

I like The Bent Lens a lot.  Dr. Torrey takes extra time to explain everything to you and lets you see the different levels of clarity with each lens.  His office does not constantly pressure you to buy the more expensive glasses and contacts, which I commend.  Oh, and he wears glasses himself.  And kind of looks like Danny Gokey from American Idol.  Maybe it's the glasses.

Wow, I feel like the coolest person here and I am usually the geek everywhere I go.  I have never seen so many studious bookworms in one place.  Everyone has a book open either about pharmacology, federal civil procedures law, entrepreneurial management, or something only the geekiest geeks are studying, like pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.  Everyone here uses a Mac though, so it's all good.

1 star off: their baked goods taste like they have pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Dr. Nishimura's office has one of the nicest decor for a dentist's office.  With those Japanese panels and sliding doors and small flat-screen TV's, this office was initially appealing.  I have been going to this dental office for couple years, but during each visit, there is always something that rubs me the wrong way.

First visit: I was doubled-booked.  After waiting 45 minutes alone at my dental chair, the hygienist told me that he did not have time to see me and that I have to re-schedule.  I explained that I work graveyard shifts and am not able to make any another time, he replied, "Fine, but since I am in a hurry, it won't be a thorough cleaning."  This is not what I wanted to hear after bearing through 45 minutes of the annoying opinionated ladies on The View.  (Well, it was that, or the annoying opinionated Judge Hatchett.)  To be fair, I won't take off any stars for the lack of good TV during regular business hours.

Second visit: I was reprimanded on my recent sparse flossing.  I already know I am not a flossing Nazi.  Telling someone they don't floss enough at a dentist's office is like telling someone they are FAT at a doctor's office i.e. I am pretty sure they already know!

Third visit: They were trying to sell me their electronic toothbrush.  They claim that there is no mark-up, but it cost $129 for one.  After my visit, I bought two of them for $79 at Costco.

Fourth visit: They told me I need annual X-rays.  I told them there is no indication for it (even my wisdom teeth have been removed), but they said annual X-rays are necessary.  I was told that my insurance would cover it, so I agreed.  However, at check-out, there was a charge for my useless X-rays.  I wanted to complain on The View.  Or Judge Hatchett. Or any person who has been told they are fat from their doctor.

1 star off: always trying to make money off of me
1 star off: customer service does not match up to their decor...or even daytime TV programs

I like anything fried.  If you fry a wood splinter, I would eat it.  So when you fry a tasty taco with lime mayonnaise, I definitely would eat it.  I was pretty full after just one taco, but I can always eat a second one with very light persuasion.  It's only $3 each...sooooooo worth it.  On Tuesday nights, it's only $2 each.  Their chips and salsa taste fresh...their agua frescas taste refreshing...there is plenty of room to sit.  What else do you want from a $3 taco place?  For $3, I would even eat a fried wood splinter.

I have never been so disappointed with a massage.  I received a "free aromatherapy with a massage" coupon in the mail, so I decided to try Revive out.  I called them all morning and no one answered.  Since I live close to this spa, I walked over instead.  No one was there!  There was another customer waiting in the lobby, and both of us were annoyed that zero staff were there.  (Apparently, they do not care if all their products are stolen).  I returned in the afternoon to finally find someone at the front desk, booked an hour deep-tissue massage, only to be told that my coupon had an expiration date.  I looked at the coupon and clearly there was NO expiration date.  I pointed this out, but the guy at the front desk still told me I could not use it!

My deep-tissue massage was terrible.  A woman named Nicole just kind of rubbed my skin; it was not deep-tissue at all.  Afterwards, I felt exactly the same as I did when I first went in.  What made me the most upset was that the massage was only 45 minutes, not an hour.  I paid $85 for a 45 minute skin rub!  Needless to say, I did not put down any gratuity.  When I looked at Nicole's card, it said she is a "skin care therapist"...she wasn't even a masseuse.

Lastly, the massage oil they used was cheap peppermint.  So I left Revive smelling like a walking toothpaste.

1 star off: $85 for a light skin rub
1 star off: fake coupons
1 star off: poor customer service
1 star off: smelling like walking toothpaste

This place is not my favorite place to study or get work done, but it is starting to grow on me.  There are many tables and outlets, so it is not too difficult to find a place to settle down.  The three tables by the window are highly coveted, so be sure to grab one if one is available.  Free Wi-Fi is great, but I have noticed that it always takes my computer at least ten minutes to pick up their signal properly.  The drinks are pretty good; my favorites are their Irish cream latte, chai frappe, and watermelon Italian soda.  The baristas are always very friendly, even during busy times.

I must mention that the tables and chairs are old.  Really old.  Ancient old.  Really ancient old.  Like those left behind by your dead relatives...who passed away in the 50's...1750's.  The sandwiches are not very good either.  For $8 a sandwich, I expect something a little better than those chewed by your 1750's relatives.

1 star off: dead people's furniture
1 star off: dead people's food

If you are looking for a mediocre cheesesteak, I have found the one!  Just some bread and scant meat and scant cheese make a nice mediocre cheesesteak.  I probably like their cheesesteak with roasted garlic the most.  It makes my breath stink, but that's okay.  (It helps me to achieve my hermit-ness that way.)

1 star off: the peppers were cold, like they just took it out of the fridge and put it on my hot sandwich
1 star off: the bread was boring, like they just baked it out of cheap dough but forgot the yeast...and the flour