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If you live in the Charlotte/Gastonia area and you are a member of AAA, chances are that if you make a roadside assistance call, the dispatched affiliate company will be East Coast Towing. This company seemed to be very reputable and had several recommendations, so I didn't really have any reason to think otherwise. Then the nightmare began. I originally requested a diagnostic or battery/power test because my vehicle would not start. I was berated by one of their dispatchers who kept asking me if I needed a jumpstart. I told him that I had no idea what I needed, but as the vehicle was completely non responsive, I would like to get it checked out first to see what we were dealing with. He sent a tow truck to provide a jumpstart, although I had requested one. The driver then proceeded to try to jump start the battery approximately 15-20 times. After about the sixth or seventh time, I told him not to worry about it and I would have it towed to a repair technician. He continued to attempt to jump the vehicle connected to the tow truck until the starter became locked and would not shut off, even with the key removed. He was forced to remove the battery terminal so that the starter would switch off. I immediately voiced my concern and displeasure with the service thus far. He called his dispatcher/supervisor who immediately instructed the driver to tell me that what he had done did not cause the problem. Gee whiz, I wonder what caused it then. A short while afterward, the diagnostic vehicle I had originally requested arrived and could not connect the batter as sparks would fly and the started would run non-stop. He tested the battery and told me it had not been the problem; which we would have found out initially had my request been followed.

The next morning, another driver/technician from East Coast Towing towed my vehicle to an authorized AAA repair location. A representative from that location called me and basically refused to touch it and was unwilling to perform any repairs or diagnostics of any kind. I then called East Coast Towing and spoke to a manager. He was very unsympathetic, unapologetic and basically stated that they had no liability whatsoever for the service work that was performed. His only offer was to tow the vehicle from the repair facility at their expense. I took that as a slap in the face. The bottom line is, the vehicle is now in a different state and different condition than it originally was prior to their service call. All I wanted was for the vehicle to be diagnosed properly, and to this point it still has not been. It is a late model used vehicle, not worth much more than $2000, but the fact that I was ignored, shouted at, cut off and  for the most part brushed aside has left me with a lot of indignation toward this company. I will pursue the matter through legal channels by the consultation of an attorney. If there was a satisfaction survey to rate my experience from 1 to 5, I would rate it a negative 10. The company's drivers were friendly and courteous, but the management was extremely unpleasant and caused one of the worst service experiences I have ever had. I would not recommend this company or service to anyone who is a resident or visitor to the area. I plan to file a formal complaint with Triple A and the BBB, naming triple as having partial liability.

Auto repair horror stories happen to just about everyone, but if you find yourself dealing with East Coast Towing, get documentation on everything they do and be very careful.

The Sushi Review:
18 Asian and Sushi Bar

The location of this relatively new sushi spot is ideal for those living in or around South Charlotte. Located at 9935 Rea Rd. near the Blakeney area, it is in the perfect place for an early dinner or an after-shopping unwind. The décor is very attractive and the staff is friendly. My divochka and I sat at the bar because it looked very inviting and cozy in a display of contemporary style. It is also typically the best way to get faster service for 1 to 3 people and ask any questions you may think of to get an immediate answer.

We ordered several different varieties of Maki rolls, including the infamous "Soundboy Roll" (ask for the Philly roll - tempura) and they were all above average. The tempura was done in the crispy-crumble style as opposed to the overly-rich batter fried style, which is healthier I'm sure. The negative reviews that I read about their sushi prior to my visit were about the rice being "mushy". These were from people who were probably used to dried-out rolls or pieces with undercooked rice. However, that is how some people actually enjoy their sushi and I say to each his/her own. Much of the material we (especially as writers) share about our experiences is subjective. Opinions will of course vary from one individual to the next, so it's best to identify with the author as much as possible.

The beer selection was good and the house Sake was great - when it was hot, so don't fool around and let it cool off too much. The big can of Sapporo can split 2 ways and chases the Sake with ease. My recommendations are the "Green Monster Roll" if you are an avocado fan, or play it safe with the spider roll and the shrimp tempura. Overall the sushi was good and the atmosphere was very inviting. The ambient music was not bad, but a great soundtrack could really turn this spot into a "must try". The prices are slightly above average compared to some other places in the area but that is a reflection of the area itself. Compared to Uptown, Midtown or SouthPark however, the prices are very reasonable. Overall I recommend it.

Buckhead Saloon; The Worst Jack-hole in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Between the overpriced bottled beer past its expiration date to the broken glass and urine on the floor to the snooty effeminate manager, this place should be avoided at all costs, unless your goal is to catch hepatitis.
The one time prior I visited this establishment I was let in with no cover even though it was relatively early, because as the guy at the door stated "there are not enough good looking guys in there". The women were leaving in herds, so I walked in and saw exactly why. This place is what is wrong with the universe. Even if there is a semi-decent acoustic band playing, you would never hear them over the drunken squall of pseudo-urban rednecks that are just happy to be breathing. This is the type of place that would brag about being a meat market if it wasn't so wretched. Don't just take my word for it. Read the reviews by the "guys" who gave it 4 stars and you will understand exactly what I mean.
On my second and last visit to this dumpster I was given a jagged bottle by the bartender and cut my lip (pictured above). I immediately took pictures of it and asked him to square it away, otherwise I can't control who would know about it. The "manager" came over and basically called me a liar and kept trying to shake my hand for some reason. Some fat girl (who coincidentally muttered the "n" word) was hi-fiving the manager and had informed him that I was just trying to scam the bar, even though I was still dabbing my mouth with the bloody napkin. I don't need this, seriously. If you do, or you think you do - by all means get jacked up at this bootleg Whiskey River wanna-be. Just wear closed shoes, expect racism and drink from a plastic cup.

There are a few different places called Sugami (much like the Buddha lounge) so be sure to get the right address. This place was featured prominently on the Beach TV channel as an established hibachi grill and authentic Japanese steakhouse. After a little investigation in the form of asking around, I determined that the spot had previously been a favorite for locals and vacationing golfers - which is basically the same crowd - but had fallen from favor due to menu and staff changes to lure in a younger, hipper crowd. This fact cemented my resolve to check it out. I typically use vacationing golfers as my reverse barometer for just about everything. Other than buffet locations or a descriptive observation of a hooters server, generally I disregard most of they tell me. No offense intended. That scene is just not my thing. Not yet, anyway.

I arrived for the dinner service with my lady friend and realized changes had been made even though it was my first visit. The bar was of modern design, not particularly imaginative but very inviting. Most of the dining area however was from late 1980's Benihana.

They kept the prior mystique of a local hibachi and just added some modern flair. Had the place been any bigger, it would not have worked. But this place seemed cozy enough to get away with it. The service was adequate, the bartenders were friendly - mostly Russian girls, so the scenery was nice and the conversation was interesting. We ordered some maki, including the Soundboy roll (smoked salmon Philly tempura), some sashimi and a few gilled appetizers. The drink selection was fair but the house Sake was bland and ordinary. The sushi was good, but nothing to write home about. The grill items however were excellent, so if you are on the bubble about sushi, go for that menu right away. The value of this place was definitely the swag. It seemed to be the late night hipster hangout much like the other sushi bars in the area.

The parking was kind of a mess, but it was not very inconvenient to park nearby and walk a few blocks (it's the beach for crying out loud). My best advice, the older you are, the earlier you want to arrive. They started to bump some Riviera discotheque around 11 PM, which I was feeling - and most of the crowd approved.
There is room for improvement, but overall I give it thumbs up.

The Sushi Review
Cuisine Malaya

Pacific Rim Shot

One of the best features of this establishment is its choice location.
It's not so out-of-the-way that you have to travel to nightlife and not so on-the-scene that it would attract curious passers-by. I first visited this place to sample the Indian fare which had a good spin on the campus at CPCC.
Of course I was drawn to the cliche 1950's pacific-rim archaeologist motif (fan-tan, folding fans, bamboo, etc.) but it was just slightly interesting as compared to the sushi menu, which was surprisingly diverse. The Maki rolls were above average and the Soundboy roll (spicy tuna or smoked salmon Philly tempura) was very good.
They have a good selection of Japanese beer and the house sake is the only warm sake on the menu,
so there is no immediate reason to order the fancy-pants selections, unless you are trying to impress someone - but that can easily backfire like a '79 Dodge Aspen going up a hill. Stick to what you know, or at least what you have learned so far. The Maki is solid and the Nagiri is good as well.
The price is a little above average but you get a decent portion of good sushi. Try the Asahi bottled beer with the warm house sake. If you bring a date you can easily share.
The Indian pancake is great for a shared appetizer. The Indian side of the menu is pretty good as well, so give it a shot on your following visit.
I recommend Malaya overall for the sushi, location and atmosphere.
Afterward, you can take the short drive Uptown and check out the scene.

The Sushi Review
Jade Asian Fusion

Cool Spot - Good Sushi

Following in the urban trends of popular theme restaurants, this scenic Ballantyne hot-spot often doubles as a nightclub after hours. That was the circumstance by which I familiarized myself with the entire area. I attended a Russian party there that was topnotch. As per usual, I decided to go back to try the sushi with my divochka (baby-girl). I thought we were in a little trouble at first because of the slightly inadequate service and my mojito which contained so much mint it resembled a glass filled with sprite and collard greens.

But we quickly got past that when the sushi arrived because it was hitting and sticking on point like as if we had been wishing for collard greens and chicken outdoors at a barbecue. The "soundboy" roll (tempura philly) was adequate but the spicy yellow-tail was first rate. Sit outside if it is warm and order a California red, they have a pretty good selection. It's not cheap, but what is in that neighborhood. Overall I say check it out. And if they start moving the tables for a party - stay. You will thank me.

The Sushi Review
Yama Asian Fusion

Good Sushi and Service, but You Are Paying for Atmosphere.

I was impressed by this establishment, mostly because there is no reason I should not have been. Located in the SouthPark area of Charlotte, it is near both shopping and nightlife. The atmosphere is cool, very LA in that it has all the trendy benchmarks of what you would expect from a modern sushi bar. The service was very good for dinner and the Hibachi lunch menu is pretty straightforward, but as we say at Soundboy America, it's always about the Maki, baby.
If you want to avoid the after work drink-pounding office crowd, check them out for lunch - the crowd is a bit more diverse: from corporate types, shoppers, hipsters to merchants with the day off. The dinner crowd by comparison is vibrant and up-tempo, but keep in mind that you run the risk of being next to a co-worker birthday celebration.
Both the import and domestic beer selection is above average, just like the sushi prices. They did a pretty good job on the "Soundboy" roll (salmon Philly tempura) but overall I would definitely take a date there that I was trying to impress. Just know what you are doing in advance and be ready to drop a hundred bones including wine and tip. But that is all about location which is reflective in the bill. Overall I would recommend it.

The Sushi Review
The Buddha Lounge

I ran across this place while my girlfriend and I were looking for some Night Life in Myrtle Beach. I saw a TV spot that said they featured a good sushi menu, so we decided to go out early. It was so worth it. This place should not be confused with the "Buddha lounge and grill", which is probably nearby. We also heard some people talking it up around the resort, so I thought it would be a pretty safe bet.
This hot spot for local nightlife is probably best known for being an after-hours party destination, but after hearing how good the sushi was, I had my doubts that it could be both a hot club and a good sushi bar. I stood corrected. Right away, I was attracted to the décor and the atmosphere. They took a page right out of downtown Las Vegas nightlife and adapted it to the southeastern hipster crowd.
The sushi was great and very reasonably priced. They did a good job on the "Philly tempura" AKA soundboy roll and the rest of the maki selection was very good. The service was average for the size of the dinner crowd, which was pretty crowded, but the staff overall was very accommodating and friendly. The restaurant featured a live piano player singing pop tunes by request. This greatly contributed to the relaxed atmosphere. The appetizers were good and the drink selection was first rate. We did not stay very late for the DJ and the late night crowd, but something tells me that it was hot. It's a really cool scene. I would easily recommend it.

The Sushi Review
Ru San's

Despite the fact that this secluded corner-style-deli type sushi restaurant
Has become the trendy place to "see and be seen"; this spot is still hands down my favorite sushi place in all of Charlotte.
Even before a much needed renovation in the dining area this locally owned hangout spot was notorious for hosting gatherings of local "D List" celebrities, DJ's, filmmakers and underground multimedia kingpins (AKA the F List) such as yours truly. I'm not even going to try to deny it, the first time I went there I was trying to "hang face" and see what the entire buzz was about. Well, I soon found out. You have to understand, most actors are servers, most DJ's live with their moms and most indie filmmakers are starving artists. This isn't exactly the disposable income crowd. The prices on the sushi menu reflect that need for value. The quality at such a low price is unmatched. They have a great selection as well. Try and remember that these reviews are all about the "Maki", baby. This was the first place I tried the now infamous "tempura philly" (soon to be known as a soundboy roll); a maki roll with salmon and cream cheese that is battered and flash fried in peanut oil. If you don't see it on the menu, ask for it - you will thank me.
Ru sans is the best affordable sushi I have had thus far, including some trendier hipper spots in LA and Miami. Don't get me wrong, I was as shocked as anyone else to find great sushi in Charlotte, regardless of the price. They are centrally located on the upper end of Park Road so afterwards you can take the long stroll over to SouthEnd for drinks or maybe catch the train uptown. In any case Ru Sans gets a total thumbs up from me and I would recommend it to anyone. Just remember that it is small, so get there early. The service could be little better, but "this aint the ritz" so to speak. Go for the sushi, go BACK for the price.