Si "Sir Obins" R.'s Profile

Yeah, it's a cash-only spot. I've gotten over that. I just don't frequent it as much as other places, because I don't have cash on me all the time. Oh well.

What everyone has Yelped about the ambiance is undoubtedly true: It's a true gem. I wouldn't expect anything less from this beautiful [merz]project building, nor would I from Matt Pool, he of Matt's Big Breakfast and the Roosevelt. It blends the clean lines of modern cool with the rustic reusability of the Bunky Boutique space that shares the same room. Visually stunning!

The coffee is mighty fine, though I wish it was sourced from an in-state roastery. I'm all for sipping from well-crafted beans, but I'm kind of shocked Matt went this route. Still, sourcing from California is probably better from an eco-friendly standpoint than what most places around here do.

The bathroom, I must say, is the best-smelling men's bathroom in downtown Phoenix. Let's make sure it stays that way. Also, it's Arctic cold in there regardless of time of day. That's amazing during the summer. Let's hope it's equally as toasty come wintertime.

One caveat: I'm an Americano drinker by default, and I don't like when places recommend (nay, insist) you get the iced coffee alternative instead. A few other places do this, but I know what I like. Just a fair warning to my other Americano friends out there.

Can't say I've tried the pastries yet, but they always look very promising. I'm excited for lunchtime sandwich/salad service to start, as this is the time I'm usually doing my coffee shop visits during the day.

It's really nice having a clean, expansive pharmacy in downtown Phoenix. Most people take this sort of thing for granted. Let's just hope it stays that way.

This is one of the biggest pharmacies I've ever been in, and the mini grocery aisle and rather giant selection of beverages will be a hit with the lunch crowd and the ASU students.

They purposely didn't stock 40s or single-serve liquor bottles, which should help keep the scuzz down to a minimum. I'm confident this store will remain nice, despite its "urban" environment and insanely close proximity to transit.

The best part? Suburban prices. See, CVS (and Walgreens and other national pharmacies) have two price models: one for "urban" stores and one for "suburban" stores. Urban ones charge big-city prices. Suburban ones don't. Despite being Phoenix's flagship urban location, this CVS chose to go with suburban prices to accommodate transit users, students and those moving quickly through CityScape. I dig that.

Let me start by saying the space is fantastic. Steve and Andi Rosenstein have put the time into this place to make it great. The attention to detail doesn't go unnoticed.

I've been coming to this building for a few years now, both for events and to occasionally check out the couple's retail concept, R&R Surplus, which has occupied the heart of the building for a while now. When they trucked in the bar from an old Capone Chicago haunt about a year ago, I knew something special was brewing.

I love the patio space, with ample hangout room, close proximity to the bar area and easy view of your food cooking on the open grill or in the airstream trailer kitchen. The flat-screen TV has become a go-to spot for Suns games, which I'm totally cool with.

Inside, it can be a bit of a sensory overload -- let's see... there's a bar, a coffee bar, a soda fountain, a produce stand, the R&R Surplus area, a flower shop, a milk stand (yes), a gym, bleacher seating and rehabbed old school Schwinns littered about. There's even foliage in there, so it's hard to concentrate on one thing. I respect what they're doing, but I can't imagine many people will be walking up to the coffee area's streetside window. We'll see.

I'm not crazy about the parking situation. I'm not sure if it's out of necessity, but it seems the place at least shares a couple of adjacent lots, and the fences and blockades around the parking areas make it a bitch to get in and out (seriously). I've been here a couple of times now, and when it's packed, you can wait a long time to get your car back, even if it's parked within eyesight.

Yes, the cocktails are a bit pricey. But, I've been impressed with each I've tried so far (Moscow Mule, screwdriver and a punchy spiked lemonade). The $3 beers ain't bad, either.

They seriously need to do something about paying at all the different sections. I don't know if they need a computer system or what, but opening a tab at the bar, then closing it, then paying for food at the kitchen, then paying for food at the grill, then going back to the bar (and that's just food and drink!) is absurd. I offered this suggestion to an employee and pretty much blew it off. Not what I was hoping for.

Yes, there are some kinks, but the potential of the concept is hard to ignore. This could really be a shining jewel of the Warehouse District. And no, it's not really off the beaten path, people. It's three blocks from US Airways Center.

I'm always willing to check out an Aaron May concept. I loved Sol y Sombra up in DC Ranch, even though it was isolated in its island-like existence way up there. The food and atmosphere was primo, so when I heard he was opening up another tapas restaurant, I never had my doubts.

Some holdovers from Sol y remain -- the patatas bravas, the pil pil, the sol y sombra -- but by and large, the variety on the menu (which isn't overwhelming by any means) is fantastic. Of the five plates I had, I sampled surf, turf, veggies, chutney and grilled bread.

The trout, a nice-sized fillet for just $8, sits on a bed of chilled veggies in a summery vinaigrette, and is the best value on the menu. The filet mignon, a perfect medium rare spiral cut, also was a good value at $13 considering the plate size.

I wish the cocktail menu offered more tequila-based drinks -- it's mostly rum -- but the Aqwa was something special (albeit bizarre): cacao and cane infused liqueur, caffeine, ginseng, guarana and lots and lots of juicy lime. The bartender told me most people have been afraid to order it, but I didn't hesitate. This kind of cocktail mastery belongs at May's other Old Town concept, Mabel's on Main.

The atmosphere is decidedly Spanish -- high-energy Salsa music, tiled floors, vaulted ceilings and a cramped but effective bar area. The semi-outdoor patio looked interesting at a glance, and will be a hit on warm nights. I'm glad they left an understated remnant of the old Pitschke's that used to occupy the space -- a tiled accent beam that supports the roof. It adds some color, yes, but the ode to the space's history is a respectful touch.

So far, so good. I'll admit I have my doubts about CityScape, but damn, Golds is a nice step in the right direction for downtown Phoenix. This place is done up to the nines -- amazing facility all around.

The locker room is souped up with keypads, the sauna is huge and not (yet) seedy and they offer a bevy of personal care items for you included in your membership. Yep, I plan on taking classes, so I can at least look like I know how to use half of these fancy things they offer.

There are so many machines, free weights, studios and stretching apparatuses that my workouts may stretch several hours long. Deep breath. OK, trying to put a calm on my excitement.

The "cardio cinema" movie theater is just a tick below ridiculous, but then again I'll probably end up using it more than half of the things they offer.

The staff has been really personable so far, which is a big boost up from the Y, where it's basically like pulling teeth just to get scanned in. Count me in as a believer!

What a pleasant surprise. I can't say I was expecting much based on the outside appearance. In fact, if you're coming up 7th Avenue from the south, you'd think this place is called Aztec. The "A" at the end of the name has been missing for a real long time.

The inside is pleasant and tidy (but not too tidy), with an array of pastries that would rival any supermarket bakery section.

The combos are a superb deal -- most under $7 -- and you get a lot of food quickly. The refried beans and rice are nothing to sneeze at (a subtle necessity to any Mexican cuisine in my book), and the slow-cooked machaca is deliciously tender and flavor-packed.

I really like the covered patio out front. There are some nice skyline views from the west, but it feels less stuffy than the indoor seating.

So much crazy stuff happens here, I can't even explain it. The locker room is a cloud of Old Spice musk, and whenever little kids are running around, it's bare-ass naked mayhem.

They revamped the main gym and the locker rooms a while back, and the equipment is really great. The machines are maintained well, and even when it's packed there's not much of a wait. I'm not here to focus on that.

The best part is the basement, chock full of all the old equipment. The legit lifters gather down here, and it's just like you'd imagine -- meatheaded, sweaty and lots of crashing steel. The word "bitch" is shouted so often (not as in "son of a bitch, I can't believe I got through that set of chest presses;" more like, "don't be a little bitch, finish your set") that you're in the majority if you don't say it more than once per set.

The lobby café is truly great, but severely underutilized. I rarely see anyone hanging out there, and I've never seen the attendant making any drinks or serving any food. The best time to visit is when they're giving away free fruit or granola bars -- all the starving ASU kids and bums from the park flood in here like they're giving away gold.

I've never been a fan of AMC's New York-like prices (matinees aside), but I can't argue with 24 screens smack in the middle of my neighborhood. I'm really surprised this place hasn't been flooded with ASU Downtown students, but hey, I'm not complaining. It's quiet (I've never been to a sold out screening here), it's convenient and parking is validated.

So, what's the complaint? Well, maybe it's TOO quiet. Sometimes it's just downright creepy, especially when walking in from 3rd Street through the Arizona Center when no one is there. I'm also not satisfied with the service at times, especially during the week when no one is there. I generally feel the place is overstaffed, but I've witnessed a ton of goofing off and some dirty theatres

I always enjoyed the food and bar at Lisa G, but the inside felt a bit hollow to me. Now that the bungalow has been converted into the Main Ingredient, consider me a convert.

They didn't seem to do much -- pop in a refined bar, some new furniture and a slick paint job -- but the place is warmer and much more welcoming. I actually want to hang out at the bar and have a beer (or three).

The food is pretty ace (especially for opening night). Mindy's mac 'n cheese was so bitchin' and creamy, I should've just ordered it twice.

I imagine I'll be hanging around this place quite a bit. It's relaxed, the prices are very reasonable, and the new crew seems in touch with their clientele.

These guys know their bikes. When I walked in, all I knew was that I was bikeless and wanted to fix that. They did, of course, but they also taught me the ways of the pedal.

You see, the folks at Landis have been biking a long time. They could name which kind of tire you have in a blind taste test. They told me which bike I'd be getting as soon as I walked through the door. They were right. They always are.

I wanted a Trek Eco that wasn't quite done being built. The employee (he shall remain nameless, but he has long hair and looks as if he's surfed more than once) not only offered to hold it for me, but he told me to go eat a burrito while he finished it. He also told me where to eat said burrito.

When I returned, the bike was not only ready, but he had also adjusted the seat to fit me. He never got closer than 20 feet to me previously. But he knew how tall I was. They know everything.

To top it off, they gave me the bike under the MSRP, because they rule. Landis sells high-end brands, but they give them to you at a fair price. I've been back for tune-ups and maintenance since, and I recommend them every time someone says they're looking for a bike. Go now!