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"She can drink more wine than I've ever seen"
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Review votes:
168 Useful, 56 Funny, and 98 Cool
Santa Cruz Mountains
Yelping SinceMarch 2008
Things I Love Find Me Inmy cups
My HometownBay Area, CA
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI love a great deal and I'm a bargain hunter
The Last Great Book I ReadThe Great Influenza by John Barry, read it!
My First ConcertPat Travers 1976 in SF
My Favorite MovieWhat Dreams May Come and Gone With The Wind
My Last Meal On EarthSalmon BBQ with good wine
Most Recent DiscoveryShenandoah Valley - Tasting fees are rare there!!!
Current CrushGrapes
DateSoquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-8383
Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center
Categories: Hotels, Buddhist Temples
We took his card because I knew that someday I would have a need of someone to restore an antique trunk that my Mother had promised me. It had been sitting in her garage for 40 years, and before that had been in the family for at least another 60 years. When I was a kid, I always wanted to get in that old trunk, but it was buried under tons of other stuff, and I couldn't get to it without being found out.
Finally about a year ago she called me and told me she was ready to go through the trunk, clean it out and give it to me. I was there the next day. The contents ended up being some antique clothing that actually belonged to my cousin since it was her mother, my Mom's sister that had put it in there. It was long forgotten about stuff from my cousin's dad's side of the family. But I got the trunk!
As soon as I got it home I searched for the trunk guy's card and called him. He does restorations out of his workshop, but also spends a lot of time going to antique fairs. He always has several pieces "waiting in line" in his shop, so the best thing to do is get your item to him so that it is in line to be worked on. I left my trunk with him last Oct., and it was finally ready in Jan. He was completely upfront about how long it might take him to get it done, and did not make any promises he could not keep.
He did a fantastic job. My trunk is the best it could possibly be. He removed all the rust, replaced the leather straps, refinished the wood and metal, lined the bottom with cedar, and put in new fabric. I love how it looks in my guestroom at the foot of the bed, holding the bedding for that room. His prices are reasonable. I'll definitely call him again if I need an antique to be restored. Who knows, maybe I'll get another trunk someday to use as a coffee table in the den/office. My house is kind of short on storage....
Santa Cruz, CA 95066
(831) 461-1000
Scotts Valley Car Wash
Category: Car Wash
They do a pretty good job. Even when my car is filthy, they never complain. I always just get the basic $15 wash, and they vacuum and wipe down inside too.
One of the best things about them is that they have free wireless and a little waiting area inside with tables. I've even gone there and gotten my car washed when my power was out so I could check my email. Not that my car didn't need it, but the free wireless was a draw.
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4838
Felton Paint & Hardware Center
Category: Hardware Stores
After successfully painting a bedroom by myself, I've moved on to a bathroom. I ran out of paint I'd bought elsewhere, and decided to just stop in at Felton hardware to get more rather than go to my usual paint store. I'm glad I did. I had wanted mold resistant paint, and asked for it at the other paint store, (which I still love) and they just gave me the paint without adding in the special mold additive. Maybe a training thing? Because I had specifically told them I needed mold resistant paint and that it was going in a bathroom. They did not tell me there was a special additive that needed to be put in.
At Felton Hardware I asked for the mold additive, because I'm learning these things as I go, and had found out from my husband who told me I should ask for the additive to be put in the paint. They had it, and put it in for me. At least the second and third coats got the additive. I'll buy paint from this store again. I'm not saying I'm not ever going back to the other place though. I still have my reasons for liking them too...
My friend and I went to the new Hillcrest winery grand opening party across the street, so we stopped in Vino Tabi since we had skipped them the last couple times we were there. Overall, I've not been too impressed by their wine, with the exception of the Bordeaux, which was really good and well priced.
The wines we tried this time around were all sub-par. We actually just paid the tasting fee and left after tasting. I heard from the pourer over at Bonny Doon that they will be putting out a few new wines soon, so maybe there is hope. I sure hope so. If I had never had the Bordeaux, I would write them off completely, and probably not go back unless dragged in.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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4/5/2009
Vino Tabi has a very cool concept, and someday I think it would be fun to get a group of friends together to go in on one of the "make your own wine barrel classes. It's a commitment, both in time and money, but sounds like a blast.
We've been there 3 or 4 times now, and like them. They waive the tasting fee with purchase. I always end up buying a bottle or two of their 2004 Bordeaux blend. I'm kind of ambivalent about the other wines I've had there, hence the 3 stars. I think they have potential though, and will go back again, for the Bordeaux if nothing else.
From the Press Banner:
Detectives arrest Brookdale Inn owner
by Michelle Camerlingo/ Press-BannerOct 23, 2009
Brookdale Inn and Spa owner Sanjiv Kakkar was arrested on multiple charges this week by detectives with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office.
Kakkar, 48, was arrested at 1:20 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, on suspicion of not having workers compensation insurance, not paying an employee's medical bill after he was hurt on the job and paying workers with bad checks, according to the district attorney's office.
He was released on $75,000 bail that evening.
Judge Paul Marigonda signed the $75,000 warrant, and Kakakar was taken in without incident, inspector Craig Tanaka said.
"The investigation is still ongoing," Tanaka said. "There have been numerous complaints, and he knew there was an investigation going on."
The inquiry that led to Kakkar's arrest began about two months ago, Tanaka said. The investigation began after a worker was injured on the job and Kakkar refused to pay his medical bills.
Kakkar is also under investigation for a slew of other problems, including an August fire that burned rental apartments behind the lodge, the case of a guest who died in September after a fall on the property, and many unpaid bills, among other allegations.
Fire officials and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are both investigating the suspicious August blaze that burned 20 apartments and four cars, displacing 65 people.
Robin Carlson, 35, of Boulder Creek, died Sept. 26, just days after he fell into a construction hole near the lodge's pool.
Former resident manager Dallas Shea said she was not surprised by Kakkar's arrest.
"He deserves everything he gets," Shea said.
Shea, an independent contractor along with her husband Randy, recalled several paydays when employees' checks were missing and said she felt sorry for the young workers who relied on Kakkar to pay their rent.
"They always cried, broke," Shea said. "We used to race to the bank when we got our paychecks."
Kakkar terminated Shea and her husband's contract in August after three months, saying he could not afford to pay for their management services.
Before his arrest, Kakkar gained local notoriety for mismanagement of the famous inn that was once a stop for the likes of legendary entertainer Marilyn Monroe and President Herbert Hoover.
Since buying the 119-room hotel in 2007, he has poured millions into restoration, including remodeling a wing and repainting the entire lodge.
But even as he set out to restore the lodge to its former glory days, problems with construction and employees accompanied the remodel.
Tanaka, the inspector on the case, asks anyone with complaints against Kakkar or the lodge to call him at 454-2400.
Problems pile up at the Inn
* Just after taking ownership in 2007, Brookdale Inn and Spa owner Sanjiv Kakkar was cited by the county's Environmental Health Department for allowing uncovered garbage to accumulate behind the lodge.
* In July 2008, a backed-up pipe in the kitchen prompted a worker to pour cleaning fluid down a storm drain. The chemicals killed about 50 endangered steelhead trout in nearby Clear Creek.
* Kakkar was sued for $25,234.31 in November 2008 by the Ledyard Co., a Santa Cruz food service company. He has not paid the money, and the case remains open.
* Kakkar owes $25,000 in back property taxes, according to county records.
* According to county planning department files, Kakkar started building projects without permits and applied for them later. He also worked for months without a building contractor. Both circumstances violate state law.
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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10/4/2009
It's been a long time since I've been to the lodge, but I found myself in the bar again. We stopped in for a couple beers. The first thing I noticed is that all the shops are gone! What happened to them? Even the cafe is closed. If anyone knows, please do tell, I'd like to know.
The bar itself looks the same. The bartender was new, but nice. I remember being mad when the cool stained glass window was removed when the place sold, but guess what? It's now a pass through window, and you can sit outside on the patio and order beers. Neat! But it was so windy and cold out, brrr. Now that I know this, next time I'll bring a jacket.
The bartender told us that the restaurant is only open Friday and Saturday nights for dinner, and Sunday brunch. We also tried asking her about the stores, but she said it's been like that since she's been there and did not know what happened to them.
Now that the rest of the apartments have burned down, the sex offenders are most likely no longer in residence. It's very sad that the normal tenants were displaced too however.
Hmmm, time will tell what becomes of the lodge. I'll go back again at some point. This last visit was the best one I've had there in quite a while. -
3/30/2008
We had always loved the lodge because of it's funkiness and huge potential. Yes, it is horribly neglected and needs work. But it was always fun to go to the bar there on rainy Saturday afternoons, or to the shows. We have seen some great shows there. The Tubes, Pat Travers, Greg Rollie to name a few. We have eaten dinner here a few times and had a nice, but a bit overpriced dinner. We have gone to the brunches here, even on a few holidays, it was fine.
There has always been a few creepy types hanging around there that maybe you wouldn't want to be around, not completely obvious to tourists, but obvious to locals. The bar is also a local hang out for normal people too, and overall was ok and could be alot of fun.
Now it looks like things are changing. I really wanted to give the new owner the benefit of doubt and hoped he would put some money into renovations and that it would start to look more like the lodge it could be. But now I don't think that's going to happen. For one thing the new name is lame. Spa? Please. And to strip the lodge of it's famous name is almost criminal.
After reading the other review of the sex offenders now in residence, I checked the Megan's Law website. OMG!! The new owner has now been renting apartments to sex offenders!!!! How shocking is that? So now we have these rapists living in our community? How dare the new owner do this. I can't believe anyone that would do this has any intention of cleaning the place up.
I think that ghosts are the least of your worries at the new Brookdale Inn and "Spa".
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 461-0851
In Vino Veritas - CLOSED
Categories: Italian, Mediterranean
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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4/1/2009
I finally got around to trying this place, and I hated it. My daughter and I decided to have dinner there after I absent mindedly passed the turn off to Mama Mia's. When I realized that I'd driven right past where we planned to go, she remembered that In Vino was right down the street. So we ended up there. Big mistake! This restaurant is owned by the same people that used to own La Bruchetta, now closed. I really liked La Bruchetta, so even though I have heard In Vino is not as good, I still always knew I would try it someday.
The restaurant is pretty loud due to the tile floors, but overall it looks nice. As soon as we were seated they brought the same bread that used to be served at La Bruchetta to the table, it's a basket of a soft sort of foccacia bread. They also brought the same roasted spreadable garlic in olive oil from La Bruchetta. Instead of the great olive tampande La Bruchetta used to serve, they gave us this disgusting anchovy paste that we thought was the olive tampande. I spread that on my bread and took a bite. OMG! It was so gross! What a horrible thing to do to people. They did not even warn us!
After we ordered, we had a really long wait to get our drinks. They actually came about a second before the food, confirming that we had been forgotten. We had the house white wine by the glass. Lousy wine, barely passable. We had them split a green salad on two plates, it's the only way to get a dinner salad there. The salad was fine, it's just like the ones they used to serve at La Bruchetta. We both had the same pasta dish, which we ordered because it was one of the least expensive items on the otherwise overpriced menu. I forget the name of the dish, but it was a pasta with chicken that came in a bowl. It was not very good, and I would never order it again. My daughter actually got sick that evening. She started feeling ill as soon as we left, so I'm sure it was the food that did not agree wtih her.
Our bill for 2 people came to about $60.00. Considering all we had was one glass each of bad wine, one salad that we split, and 2 of the cheapest entrees, I felt ripped off. I won't go back. The service and food were not worth the money I spent.
I have decided to paint a bedroom myself. Oh no. Last time I painted a room by myself was about 15 yrs ago, and it was a disaster. But due to current circumstances, like not being able to afford the painter to come out, but wanting to redo a room, I'm going to give it a shot. So I have been getting samples of paint and supplies to do the job from them this week.
They have fantastic customer service. I was immediately helped by a very nice, helpful salesman who once I told him what my project was, jumped right on what I needed. He helped me get my basic supplies together, and helped me with paint sample choices. I brought them home, and smeared them on the walls of the room I want to paint.
The colors were close, but not quite what I invisioned. So I went back. I happened to go back during the worst storm we have had in a while here, and even though my power at home was out, theirs was on. Maybe generator, not sure. Anyway, I was again helped right away, this time by another sales person who was very helpful.
I just love this store. If you don't have alot of experience with painting, they are very patient with you. I also happen to know they deal with contractors that do know all about painting too, because the painting contractor I use for bigger jobs knows and trusts them.
After seeing my paint color in daylight, rainy daylight, battery operated lantern light, candlelight, and finally indoor light once the power went back on, I have chosen my colors. I will be going back this week to get my paint and get started. Please wish me good painting karma!
It's drinking really well! We opened a bottle last night and loved it, so we are having another one tonight. Just an FYI: If it's still available, I would go get some! Show owner comment »
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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3/25/2008
This is a great winery and they have a great wine club deal. You get to buy any of the wines in your wineclub shipment for 30 percent off for a month after the shipment. We always go pick up ourselves so that we get to taste the wine club selection and use our discount.
Try the 2006 Pinot before it's sold out. I think it's almost gone. What a great Pinot, they should have made double the amount of that one. They have several very good wines.
The only one I won't drink is the Cabernet, the latest release. It's too tannic. I think it needs to mellow out for about 5 or 6 years. I actually have a bottle, and will hold on to it to see what it does. Won't be hard.
Annette, one of the owners is usually around and will go out of her way to make you feel welcome. She's very friendly and personable.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 476-7002
Senate Furniture and Mattress
Category: Furniture Stores
We just wanted one for a home office, and it's not really going to get much use. Occasionally someone will sleep there, and it's mainly just for an extra bed if we need it. So we did not want to invest in anything expensive. We were able to find one that will match the room and function the way we want it to for $762.00, including delivery and tax.
This was the best quality we could find at this level of pricing. It even beat what Couch Potato had next door.
We have bought other furniture from them over the years and everything has been fine. I would recommend them to anyone. Santa Cruz does not have much to choose from furniture store wise, I feel we are very lucky to have this store in town, since without them we would probably have to drive over the hill if you need something like that.
9 Lists
The meadow is nice, and there is a whole building that houses a HUGE Buddha. It's immense. I did not go in the shop, but my friend did. I babysat her puppy outside since the dog was not allowed inside. We spent a nice couple hours there walking around. Four stars for the grounds, and being open to the public for free. You can access Nisene Marks from the trails there too.