Ivy W.'s Profile

They just officially opened this past Monday (Jan. 9) and although the night was filled with "mistakes, meltdowns, and mayhem" (as Jon R. put it down below), I have to give two -- yes, TWO -- extra stars for the customer service.

We went last night and the wait on a Friday night was long -- roughly 30 minutes, when we were told it was going to be 10-15 minutes.  Supposedly the hostess had called our table's name several times and when we didn't respond, they told my sister that they had taken our name off the list and we would have to wait all over again.  I spoke with the hostess instead, cleared the mistake up, and was told we would be seated next.  The manager was so kind and insisted that we order an appetizer while we were waiting so that it could be served right when we sat down.  We looked over the appetizers and nothing looked appealing so we politely declined.  She then told us since we waited so long for a table, we'd get a complimentary dessert on the house.  Sweet!

We were seated and our server was so, so, so nice (unfortunately, I don't remember her name).  She quickly got our round of waters and took our orders.  The table behind us, who also had her as a server, weren't so lucky :(  As she served them drinks she spilled a couple cups over and the entire table had to get up and wait for the staff to clean the mess.  It took them a really long time to clean the mess up with towels -- why doesn't Red Robin have a mop on hand, in case for spills?  That would've resolved the issue much more quickly.

As for the food, I ordered Ribs & Mac 'N Cheese combo.  I'm sick with the flu, so I could barely taste anything; but what I could taste on occasion when my sinuses momentarily cleared up, wasn't bad at all.  Oh, and I can't forget the bottomless fries!  If you order anything that has a side of fries, they're "endless" (free "refills" on fries)!  So awesome.  I also ordered their Absolut Vodka Strawberry Lemonade and was quite pleased that they put actual strawberries in it!  Refills on the water were swift as well, which was pleasantly surprising.  Our server was seriously, so friendly, accommodating, and quick on her feet.

When dessert time came, I reminded our server of what the manager had told us, and she told us it was no problem.  I told her we'd like the dessert with the Chocolate Chip cookie and Vanilla Ice Cream -- and when she came back, she had two in her hands!  She told us that since we were a large party of 6, they decided to give us two on the house.  SWEET.

I understand since they just opened and are prone to a lot of mistakes, they have to make it up with comp'd appetizers and desserts; so this may not always be the case as their business continues.  However, considering how there weren't any huge mistakes with our party and experience (only that we had to wait a long time for our table), what Red Robin did to make up for it was more than enough!

I would definitely come again!

For the longest time (~7 years), I refused to eat hot pot/shabu shabu because my parents used to take me all the time as a child and I grew to despise it (all good things come in moderation, right?).  My friends finally convinced me to come here and I liked it so much, I went again for dinner the next night...

Both times, I ordered the Creamy Japanese Miso soup base ($13.99) with beef.  Since I thought there were too much veggies the first time, I T-Rex'd the second time I visited (less vegetables, 50% more meat).  Second time, we also ordered fries and they weren't that bad at all (though I wish they were more crispy).

After my first bite, I knew I was a fan.  I think my favorite part was the sesame sauce, which I dipped EVERYTHING in.  And drinking the soup after.  I've bad shabu shabu many times with family and hated the plain soup, but I really liked the Japanese Miso.  Next time, I'm going to try the Spicy Miso for a little more flavor.

I like the decor and ambiance a lot; trendy and stylish, with one wall covered with cat portraits (lol).  Instead of family-style, each person gets their own personal hot pot, which I prefer a lot more.  And, they also play jazz music!  Very cool.

No complaints, other than it's a little pricey... but I think it's worth it, especially on a cold night :)

My go-to spot to shoot pool in the 626.

I forget who first took me here, but I'm glad he did since Billiards is now one of my favorite past times.  Took me awhile to learn how to kick someone's ass in pool, but all that practicing and hard work has paid off, if I do say so myself :)  If I'm ever bored in SGV and don't feel like:

1) bowling
2) KTV'ing
3) or hanging out in a boba joint,

this is where you'll find me.

Place looks kind of shady, but it's not that bad once you go inside.  They do card (you have to be 18+) and they do check ladies' purses.  No liquids permitted inside, including water -- they do this, so you purchase water and drinks from them.  It's $11-12/hour, which isn't too bad.  All-in-all, no complaints!

One of my favorite spots in Arcadia to grab a burger (I wouldn't come here for a quick bite though, as the service is on the slow side).  Specializing in Taiwanese burgers, Bun Bun offers a variety of Asian burgers and sandwiches you can't get anywhere else in the 626, along with a wide selection of tea drinks and slushies.

My usual is the Juicy Pork Burger, which comes with pork, tomatoes, lettuce, and a fried egg.  Your burger comes with a side of fries and one (yes... ONE) potato ball (sometimes filled with cheese), and this pinkish dipping sauce.  I have no idea what the dipping sauce is, but it's delicious.  I love it on my fries, I love it on burger -- I always have to ask for extra!

The restaurant is on the smaller side (only 8-10 tables or so), so if you're in a rush, I'd recommend calling in to place your order beforehand, and taking it to-go.  I also like that they play pretty good music (usually it's one of the employee's iPod's playing EDM), and they have a TV on one wall usually playing a movie.

Bomb burgers, chill environment, what more could you ask for?

One extra star for the remodel -- place looks as new as the day it first opened, but now with TWO drive-thru lanes!  Maybe I'm just lame, but I was pretty amused and impressed with it haha.  Makes the drive-thru lane go by much faster in the morning, which puts me in a great mood :)

Otherwise, it's McDonald's... 3-stars for food and quality.

I've visited Four Leaf twice after my friend recommended their savory crepes and kept raving how delicious they were.  I still haven't had tried any of their savory crepes, but I have tried their dessert crepes!

Upon recommendation by the cashier, I ordered the one with Strawberries, Bananas, Nutella, and Vanilla Bean ice cream.  Since I'm an avid fan of ice cream (who isn't?), my favorite part was the ice cream and after finishing it, I gave the rest to my friend LOL.

While I do think it's very nom and a perfect treat for after dinner, I also think it's a bit overpriced -- $7 for crepe?  I think I could settle with a $2 scoop ice cream cone from Rite Aid :P

I'd recommend this place to anyone who has a sweet tooth and craving crepes or waffles (I've still yet to try the waffles!).  They also have a good selection of tea drinks.  I'll definitely be back if I'm ever in the area!

I'm still not a fan of Thai food, but this is still my favorite Thai restaurant!

The last couple times I've visited, the wait hasn't been that bad; 20 minutes tops.  If you go later, obviously the line will be shorter.  My usual is the Pineapple Fried Rice, Pad Thai, Crying Tiger Beef (non-spicy), and Mango Sticky Rice.  All dishes are so, so good (as well as their Thai Iced Tea) and imo, completely worth the wait.

Service is extremely slow, so I recommend going when you're not that hungry yet.

Can you say overhyped?

I read the raving reviews and expected bomb waffle sandwiches but I felt like the yumminess in the waffle was seriously lacking.  Simply put, kind of gimmicky.

My friend took me here since I'd been wanting to try it and I was surprised by how expensive it was -- totally overpriced for the taste and quality.  I went with the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Waffle, which is one of their most popular sandwiches.  Didn't really like the chili honey or the cole slaw, and the waffle was super soggy and falling apart as I was eating it; no bueno.  The best thing was the fried chicken -- very succulent and juicy.  I ended up just finishing the chicken and throwing the rest away.

I'd come back again to give it another go, but until then it's just "A-OK".

I went back a second time this past Sunday and even though the hostess was really unorganized and seemed super stressed out with seating situations, AND the Cornmeal Waffle BLT wasn't on this week's menu, I was once again, impressed by Chef Felix Barron's genius.

We were sat inside, closest to the open kitchen, this time.  It was super loud and interesting being amongst the hustle and bustle and seeing Chef Felix at work.  However, I'd prefer sitting outside in the garden patio for a more relaxed, serene environment (perfect for a Sunday Brunch, especially when you're hungover from the night before).

The menu changes often (I think almost every week), so since there was no Cornmeal Waffle BLT, we tried what the server recommended, the Beet Hash and Pain Perdue.  I've never had beet before, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found the hash to be yummylicious.  The Pain Perdue was super rich with flavor, and sweet, so I'm not sure if I would qualify this as brunch, 'cause it was more like dessert -- but I'm not complaining.  It was absolutely delicious.  I really don't know what Chef Felix's secret is or what he puts in his food, but KEEP DOING IT!

My friend was so impressed, we're going back again this weekend! :)

And again, as a reminder, KTCHN 105 is on a gated property and you have to call them, so they'll buzz you in.  No parking within the gates, as it's for residents and you will get a ticket -- just park on the street; there's plenty space available.  No sales tax, cash only.

----- ETA 1/11/12 -----

I made reservations for this weekend and asked when the Cornmeal Waffle BLT was going to be back on the menu.  Chef Felix emailed me saying that he'd put it on the menu this weekend for me, along with my reservation confirmation.  WOW.  Ivy is impressed.  So, so, so accommodating and simply... awesome.  Where else can you find this kind of hospitality nowadays?!

SO MUCH FUN.

I've only been here one time, but I can safely say after once, I'm already hooked.

One of my promoters for XS recommended I after party at Sapphire's and said he could get me and my friends a limo ride, free entry, and free first round of drinks.  Down!  A limo, which is really a mini party bus with lights and stripper poles, picked us up and took us to Sapphire. We tipped the driver and went in with no problems.  Redeemed our drink tickets at the bar and ordered some finger snacks, which took a really long time to arrive, but it was fine 'cause it gave us plenty of time to walk and look around.

First, this place is huge.  Pretty dark, but clean, and kind of fancier than what I thought a strip club would look like.  It kind of looked like a regular dance club, but with topless ladies walking around everywhere.  It was interesting trying to see if we could distinguish which ladies were strippers or just visitors.  Since it was Halloween, my friends and I wondered if we looked like strippers ourselves lulz.  There's also an upstairs, but we didn't venture up there.

There's ample seating and tables around, but you have to buy table/drink packages to sit. Otherwise, you kind of have to stand around or sit at the bar, if you just want to chill.  Other option would be to buy lap dances or private rooms.  Luckily my group and I found seats around one of the stripper poles.  This was so amazing for me 'cause I'd only seen strip clubs in movies and here I was UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL ^____^

Most of the strippers are pretty attractive and really talented.  Some got more tips than others, which was really interesting since the ones that got more didn't seem anymore talented or prettier than the ones who were tipped less -- but I guess it's all preference, right?  The stripper I enjoyed the most, was super friendly and smiley (something I noticed, a lot of them don't look very happy), and crawled down from the platform, onto my lap.  So awkward having boobies in my face and a stripper straddling me, but it was an awesome experience.  My friends couldn't stop laughing.  I couldn't stop giggling.  So much fun!  I didn't have a lot of $1 on me, so I only tipped her $2 :(

The only thing I didn't really like was watching the strippers collect their tips off the platform floor after their dance was finished.  Really sad and kind of degrading to watch. However, I would totally come back.  The last two times I was in Vegas, I tried to visit, but plans didn't work out.  But at least I always try to make it a point to visit!  It's a great place to after-party, so I'll definitely be back!