Rocky S.'s Profile
DateSanta Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 523-3888
Goji Kitchen
Categories:
Asian Fusion,
Chinese,
Vietnamese
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 843-3768
Toyo Japanese Restaurant
Category:
Japanese
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
That said, you MUST take this place with a grain of salt. Just because I'm giving it 5-stars does not mean it's the best Mexican food in Redding. I'm just saying, given the circumstances, it is the best gas station establishment I've ever seen. It's got some novelty hole-in-the-wall value, too. The next time you're looking for an interesting place that will switch it up, try El Delicioso!
When I went, I just had drinks. And they were pretty good. The bar was clean and the atmosphere was pretty neat.
The person to my direct right, though, ordered some lamb chops. He got what I could clearly see was a cut of filet. It looked delicious. The guest asked the waitstaff if he could send his plate back because they gave him the wrong thing. The waitstaff insisted he was served the right thing. It wasn't until an array of managers came out that they finally determined that the customer was right.
Even if the customer was wrong, common customer service practice is to find a way to please the customer - not flat-out deny his criticism.
I'll be back, Clearie's... I'm just sayin' you need to make sure you're dedicated to being a good downtown establishment.
However, I contacted them weeks later and spoke to Will Baas, their Internet Manager. He was extremely friendly and helpful, even though he knew that he might not get a sale. The way it worked out, I still had to buy in California because my move to Eugene won't happen for another 30 days or so...
Will helped me out so much that the next time I have a car buying opportunity in Oregon, or any of my friends do, I will be recommending Kendall.
Thanks.
The best addition to this place is the new Rico's Taco truck that parks outside later in the night.
1 Previous Review:
-
4/1/2010
This was originally published on 12/24/2009, but under the wrong profile. I went there on 12/23/2009 a.k.a. 'the-last-time-I-wil l-go-there.'
This is my first negative review, so you must understand I'm not your typical skeptical nay-sayer.
Capone's is a new bar that opened downtown in the spot that used to be the Clover Club. When I walked in, I thought the lounge theme was nice, it had a good crowd of people, and was a great alternative to places like Johnny's or the Squire Room.
The service was awful though. Someone told me that the guy behind the bar was the owner. While I saw this guy treat other customers with a degree of respect and alacrity - especially if they happened to be attractive females - he was a jerk to me. I ordered a glass of wine. The bartender gawked at me and asked "red or white?" and he asked to know "if I knew what I was talking about."
I took this as a joke until I ordered a White Russian a few minutes later and it was sloppily put together by someone who was hired much more for her looks than her skill. Not only did she have to ask another bartender how to make the drink, tt was probably the worst White Russian I've had to date and it took forever to get. I've always felt shifty when attractive bartenders are given quality-of-drink-imm unity. She had no idea what she was doing.
After I ordered, the owner made fun of me for wanting to close my tab. He said "Like, you're sure this is all the drinks you're going to have for the rest of the night? Like, you're sure?!?!?!" Don't get me wrong, this wasn't said in the playful "You're gonna have a fun night!" way. This was articulated in the "You look like a stupid customer that is going to have me re-open a tab" way.
I'm no expert, but I've been a bartender and I work for a wine company, so I don't appreciate when my intelligence is challenged by someone who I am paying to provide a decent product with a side of entertainment, especially when both the product and the knowledge is substandard. ...and the business is brand new! They had one shot to make my lifetime return decision and they blew it.
Fortunately for the owner, he's got a captive Redding audience because the city is starved for a hint of class and cheap drinks. If the service doesn't change, though, I can see this business failing very soon due to fights caused by the bartender's ego or audits done by the local ABC for underaged drinkers. (I am not claiming I saw any, just noticed a lax ID policy...)
But I had a HORRIBLE experience.
I'm younger than the average car buyer in Redding, but that has nothing to do with my ability to buy.
I didn't get the name of the salesguy that I approached, but he was blonde and had a gravelly low voice. He sort of reminded me of Denis Leary with sunglasses.
Anyway, I got out of my car and had to approach him. I've been to every other car lot in Redding. Valley Auto was the last. This was the only time I wasn't approached.
After that, he told me that I wouldn't be able to purchase a vehicle because he would need to see two years of established tax returns for my new company. I kept telling him that financing wasn't something I was even considering. He didn't listen. At all. I planned to sell my existing car and offer cash.
I was there no longer than four minutes before I decided that I would never even attempt to do business at this slummy looking place again.
If the condition of their establishment is any indication of the health of their business, I predict they will be out of business before 2014.
I will definitely be back.
At the end of the day, I think Top's will last a maximum of three years unless it improves its business model. They offer absolutely nothing better than Holiday Market, and almost everything is more expensive. They are in a prime location and could be doing so, so much better.
For one, I think they should try to appeal to the recreational crowd. There should be more fishing, boating, hiking, and backpacking merchandise. They should improve the deli so that it competes with other local businesses to the extent that they will get customers in the door just for a sandwich. Top's should also look into hiring higher quality employees that know how to smile and deliver faster service. The employees of just a few years ago would destroy the current employees in a customer service contest.
Their overall business model should be centered around convenience. They need a large drink fridge to cater to the high school and a better-than-Holiday-Market barbecue. I have to say that Top's Mermaid Sushi still tops Holiday, but they cannot rely on that alone to save their own business.
I could probably write a book of other improvements, but these are the ones that stick out right now. I'm trying to be constructive, here.
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123 Useful, 22 Funny, and 36 Cool
Redding, CA
Yelping SinceJune 2009
Things I LoveJapanese Food, Wine, Weezer, Roadtrips, etc.
Find Me InSanta Rosa
My HometownRedding, California
My Blog Or Website Why You Should Read My ReviewsI'm honest, candid, and highly analytical.
I had the orange chicken and a Vietnamese noodle dish. Our waitress was really pleasant and was very attentive.
Quite honestly I didn't look at the prices this time because I was so hungry. I'll have to go back and check it out again.