Cynthia C.'s Profile

I've used Oliver as my tax accountant for the last 6 years.  

-Amended returns on short notice
-Filed out of state returns
-Looks for deductions with a critical eye
-One flat rate, thus far
-Great responsive staff who regularly check emails, phone calls, vmails, even on weekends
-Turnover time is about 3-4 weeks during the height of tax season
-Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese

The main office is in San Mateo, but LA location is where I frequent.  Years where I am so swamped, Oliver will send me my returns to sign, so I can just do everything remotely, scan, email, done, AWESOME.

I used to love buying items on sale and reworking it to fit me.  Now I try my best to buy only what fits me, I don't have the time or the patience to dilly dally at the tailor.

A week ago I got a few coats deeply discounted and discovered the measurements shown online were about a size off.

I had used BAs for hemming some dresses and pants in the past and have been satisfied the past couple years.  The tailor and his assistant can pretty much do anything and give options, as in the economical route or the more involved pricier path.  

There is one small dressing room and it can get a little backed up when it's noon on any day.  I would come in the AM.  

My thick wool coats look great after a little nipping and tucking.  

Cash preferred, local checks accepted.

Really no MSG?  Seems like it's true.  It's been an hour and I'm not dying for a gallon of water.

Ordered:
#70 Crispy Pumpkin with spicy garlic, interesting item, lightly battered and flavorful
#82 Fresh fish porridge, not the best quality fish, but the porridge is perfect
#57 Ark Braised Egg Tofu, good, see comment below
#121 Chicken noodle, I got it with rice noodles, white meat chicken and even wood ear!
Off menu: Pea sprouts, good.

Nothing was overly oily, salty or sauced, with the exception of #57, which I probably wouldn't order again.  I'm just not really into all the gelatinous stuff and Ark makes it with much less cornstarch, good if you like this type of dish.

For the price, there is a lot of attention to detail, like super thin ginger in the porridge and two types of mushrooms in the egg tofu, plus shredded pork too.  

No delivery charges, but there are minimums and it was stated over the phone you have to tip the driver.

Humorous to me: the baggie with extras had only spoons and forks.  What no chopsticks?  The only thing missing was a fortune cookie.

What I ate was pretty light fare for Southern, but I had to try really hard, as much of the entrees were fried.  I didn't order an entree.  

Instead I went with apps and sides:
-Fried cabbage with bacon, not sure where the bacon was, but maybe that's why it was bland, it was more like stir fried
-Chicken soup, it was okay, a little salty, cubed chicken a bit rubbery
-Yams, WAY, way too many spices
-Salad w/house vinaigrette, I liked the medley of ingredients: carrots, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers and house pickled beets, probably my favorite thing
-Collard greens, bland and I wasn't expecting the greens to be sitting in a broth

Hospitable and warm service.  Comfort food and very much homestyle.  I would recommend to those who want to try something outside of their normal food parameters.

Impressed by the location and the food.

Portions are hearty, which left plenty of leftovers:
-Wild vegetable with sea bass soup, very good, buttery fish, w/spinach & watercress
-Pea sprouts with garlic, a little salty for my taste, but not oily
-Shredded pork rice noodle Taiwan style, excellent, seasoned lightly, finely sliced vegetables and super fragrant shitakes.

Spiffy servers.  They run tight ship here.  Bathrooms are nice and clean.  

Irked me: took 25 minutes to make some chive pancakes and when they came out they weren't even hot.  Still good though.  

After our meal, we went on a nice walk on the beach, while gnawing on some chive pancakes.  A perfect afternoon.

Elegantly executed meal and surprisingly light for French fare.  A strong contender for 1 Michelin star.

Reservations are only taken if you're eating in the main dining room and there you are limited to the tasting menu only.  There are some nice banquettes.  

Service is warm and pretty low key.  

Parking can be rough in NH, no valet service, I circled a few times and found some street parking.

Loved the toothpicks in the restrooms.  I totally used them!

I wanted to split the wine pairing, but our server advised against it, as the pours are really just a taste.  There were lovely by the glass French selections that went great with the meal.

*Amuse Bouche w/Blood Orange
So refreshing and light, perfect way to start the meal
*Extravagance de Fermier Salad
Golden beets, red beets, artichoke, brussels sprouts, sugar peas
green pea hummus, red bell pepper puree, caramelized almonds, curry mayonnaise, beautiful dish, one of my favorites of the evening, so many intricate elements working harmoniously
*Pan Seared Artisan Foie Gras with Espresso Sauce
Chef Keiko' s signature dish: accompanied with artichoke and Japanese sweet potato puree, surprising pairing and quite good
*'Hokkaido' Scallop with Sea Urchin
Hokkaido' s cold water makes scallop more complex flavor, very good
*Black Angus Rib Eye Roti
Lightly dry aged rib eye served with gratin d' affinois, nice execution, but a bit dull
*Brioche au Fromage
with epoisses espuma, this was delicious, loved the greens and the cheesecake like square w/shaved cheese a top.  
*Gateau Chocolate
with chestnut ice cream and passion fruit caramel sauce
*Cannele Bordelais
A cake with a rich custard interior enclosed by a thin caramelized shell

The menu was more French than anticipated.  We were told if we return while the menu was still the same, the chef would gladly create a revised version.  Excited to try out the lounge menu, which has more Japanese inspired cuisine.

The staff who work here are so nice!  

While I waited for take out, they served me hot tea and allowed me to sit at one of their tables. I got in last night right when they opened at 5:30PM and within 15 mins half the resto was full.

Much of the tapas are deep fried.  I still ordered the crispy rice w/kimchi and chasu and also the unagi.  Both very good and different flavor profiles that kept me interested.  Unagi was a bit over priced for $17.50.  Loved all the julienned scallions.  The Dohatsuten ramen had wonderfully chewy noodles, a nice kick from the Korean chili and I liked the miso broth.

Portions are hearty and definitely delicious comfort food.

Part of the experience of shopping in a boutique is personalized and knowledgeable service.

I went into MM with a photo and style number of the handbag I wanted.  I was met with a smile, but then was dismissed after the SA discovered the bag was not in the store currently, it had sold out completely about a week before.  

Now a store with ANY type of customer service training would have taken down my name and information immediately to contact me once the bag was in stock.  

Instead, she asked if I needed anything else and I was the one who had to prod her to contact ME.  

She continued to dissuade me to purchasing the bag from the Crystals LV location and stated there were CA stores, I let her know I was from NORTHERN CA, the two MM locations were in SOUTHERN CA.  She quickly corrected herself and stated she was trying to save me from delivery charges.  Seriously lady?  It's the same distance.

Hmm, I guess she really wants a quick sale and isn't willing to put the extra work to followup with me, wow I was completely appalled.

I now have no choice than to get the handbag from Southern CA and stimulate the economy in this state.

Thoroughly entertaining.  Don't be surprised if you find yourself jamming along with the beats in your seat.

What to expect:
-Lots of fan girls, as in, screaming chicks, most of the show
-A variety of music most people will be able to pinpoint
-Audience participation, a male and female will be chosen
-Humor and charm

I'm a reality show junkie, but this was not one of the shows I watched, maybe because I banned MTV after Jersey Shore.  Highly recommend and one of the more affordable shows on the Strip.

After a humongo brunch, we wanted a lighter dinner, it was time to descend upon YT again.  

Perfect choice.  Seriously one of the best Japanese restaurants on the Strip.  Top 3.

Eats:
-Lobster carpaccio
-Big eye tuna pizza
-Sawara sashimi
-Spicy salmon roll
-Rock shrimp
-Soft shell crab

By the glass sakes are only the sparkling variety, if you're going by the carafe, I would go straight to the junmai daiginjo, even the junmai ginjo didn't cut it.