Heather W.'s Profile

First of all, I don't really get who's idea it was to make you walk through a huge barren parking lot to get to your food - but I am sure they could have figured out a better way to do this.

My experiences with Cozumel have been limited - once there to drink, which I was unimpressed with, and once there to eat.

As far as my eating experience goes, the one nice thing I can say is my waitress was nice. Also, it's not really the fault of the restaurant that there was a large group getting drunk right next to my small family of three (they could've maybe done a better job choosing a spot for us), but it definitely was a negative.

The food is greasy, and very chain mexican feeling - not really authentic or especially unique at all.  I would rather eat a taco from Lloyd's sitting on the ground any day of the week then sit on their loud obnoxious patio with the parking lot view.

I love Mexican food and Allentown, I'm sad that it's not worth it for me to go back.

Penzey's is the only spice specialty store I have been in, and it is a fun store. It's easy to get around in, and truly a sensory experience. The "smelling jars" are unique to any place I've really been to in Buffalo. It can actually be a little overwhelming if there are not specific spices on my list when I walk in, because there are SO many choices.

I don't know what Penzey's does to their spices, but short of fresh herbs, they are the best spices to use... even the garlic salt I have from there is the best garlic salt I've ever used. It's a great place to stock up on the usual spices and a lot of unusual spices as well as extracts, and so far I have liked everything I've bought from there.

I really like that they have spice blends there with no multi-syllable words in them (ie, preservatives) and also salt-free blends, which can be tough to find in your average supermarket.

For such a specialty store, I'm pretty happy with the prices. They offer some more high end spices, but you get what you pay for. I definitely also recommend signing up for their monthly catalog, which has sent me coupons for free spices and a couple spice gift sets.

The staff is nice too, and really helpful if you have questions - but I like the product enough that I'd probably shop there even if they weren't.

I am not going to give up on the Co-op's great bulk spice section, but I am definitely happy to have Penzey's in my life too.

The previous reviewers hit a nail on the head. The science museum is not necessarily the best science museum ever, but it is a great destination for kids. The play center is so much fun... there are not a lot of indoor play space options for kids in the city, like there are in the suburbs and this is one of the solutions for that.

My daughter loves the animals on the 2nd floor, and even though I think taxidermy is a little creepy it is definitely educational for preschool and elementary ed age kids.

We have visited it about 5 times in the past year and my daughter has enjoyed herself every time, which is definitely impressive in my book for such an inexpensive trip to do with the family.

Go early on special event days, like everything else on a free/special day it gets pretty wild.

I went into this store a lot and find that even with my recently sized down petite self who wears size 2 or 4 jeans this place is still really weird fitting clothes that are hard for any normal body type. Also, they have "LA" style, and we live in Buffalo, land of NYC casts off so maybe I just can't appreciate what they have... however a lot of their stuff has hanger appeal and then just doesn't do it for me as actual clothes...

Also, I am all about friendly staff which you can find a lot of on Elmwood, and this place is just meh to me. I was in their several times to shop, because I bought a groupon for there and the staff did not impress me ever really.... Almost every time they were distracted by conversation with someone else, don't get me wrong never rude or anything just not really doing anything to make me feel like they had good customer service skills or any interest in me as a human being even when I tried to chat.  I know you are hip but not hip enough to fully pull off the hipster apathy you treat me with.

Sorry, Splash Panic, maybe there's something I am missing. I really wanted to like you, but I just don't.

Officially my favorite book store in Buffalo.

Used books, no title costs more then $10. Unpretentious. Everything is in great condition and very relevant. They have a great kids corner, well lit space, and nice shelves. The owners and their adorable kids are a pleasure to visit with, and I quickly became a regular at this store. The owners know their books and have different taste but can make honest recommendations, and good conversation about books.

It fills a great used book niche that I think is necessary - they have a lot of best selling and popular titles, as well as a good amount of other stuff. I have found books about yoga, parenting, architecture, eastern philosophy, sustainable living, and developmental psychology just to start. I always come out of this store with more then I plan on. I think that the owners must just be GOOD at choosing their titles, or specifically choosing for my demographic I don't know but the selection is really nice and if you are looking for a specialty book that they probably don't have you can ask and Joe can probably tell you off the top of his head. I swear he knows every book in that store.

The prices of the actual books are great, and my daughter is still allowed a free book per visit (as are all children) despite the fact she tries to pull every children's book possible off the shelves.

I can't really describe this book store well enough, if you are a book store lover, and you live in Buffalo you probably have been there. If you haven't, GO! But if you are not a book store person or you usually shopped new this is still a really easy place to browse and has a much cleaner, modern feel like a new book store.

I have tried out yoga at a couple different locations over the years and as I honestly wasn't that active of a person outside of biking and walking around the Elmwood Village, it was tough to really get into. I felt overwhelmed and lost in all the classes - whether the instructor ignored me or tried to help me, and I never really continually made it a practice.

This past summer,  I signed up for East meets West's "Intro to Yoga" 6 class series - and it was just what I needed. They talked about the foundation of yoga philosophy a little, breath quite a bit, and work-shopped everything you really need for a vinyasa class, and a lot of ashtanga as well.

This class was in July-August and I honestly feel that it changed my life. Yoga really does amazing things for my body, energy levels, temperament, and general stress. I actually have noticed a big change in the strength of my core and arms as well! I'm getting better all the time and want to live a better lifestyle to supplement my practice. I'm now attending classes 2-3 times a week, and the instructors make me feel happy to have East meets West as my yoga home. I have tried other studios since becoming a regular yogi and still find the most satisfaction from East meets West, though I enjoy trying out other places without feeling totally lost now.

On top of the physical aspects of yoga, I feel like they offer a place for the spiritual aspects of it - the teachers are obviously knowledgeable about the philosophies behind the breath and alignment practices that are so important. It comes out in the practice, even though talking about it in a normal class is limited.  It is a happy medium between completely focusing on the physical or being alienating to those who are not religiously committed to yoga.

It's amazing how in a few months I feel like I don't know how I went without yoga before. I'm so grateful to have East Meets West.

The day I walked into Ashker's something happened. Something that happens, only once in awhile when you find a new business, restaurant or place. It was more then just the cute little egg sandwiches on home made buttermilk biscuits, or how perfectly made my latte seemed to be. Despite the "young professional" atmosphere of the space, it still somehow manages to feel like home.

Within a week the owner (Angelo) and store manager (Sarah) knew my name - maybe because I was hooked after the first time and stopped back in three more times that week, but it still was nice. Angelo excitedly talks about his plans for the future with us - themed dinners, nutrition workshops, and an extended menu (which came into effect this week). The place is brimming with possibilities, delicious healthy food that you can feed to people who are not into the too trendy or vegetarian (but also options for those people as well)...

I have not even started talking about the juice! Which is delicious. Just try it. And the baked goods are pretty fantastic too - the cranberry lemon scones were the perfect amount of lemon, and I am often wary of citrus impinging upon my desserts. They have a panini/wrap lunch menu and a great breakfast menu.

The atmosphere, staff, and menu of this place are truly unique - not because they try to be, but because the owner just does what he feels. And as he asks for criticisms on the menu, possible up-and-coming live music, and shares YouTube videos with his customers, it's hard to come up with much because why mess with something that he is obviously doing right already?

Very kid friendly, great kid's menu with a chicken finger or french fry nowhere to be found. Angelo listened and appreciated my feedback on things they might do that would attract a "family" crowd - not that he is trying to please only that crowd, it's just the one I was interested in gathering there.

I'm looking forward to a lot of fun events there such as live music and a lot of interesting ideas coming from Angelo and Sarah's innovative and open minds!

Every time I've gone to this restaurant the service has been great and the food delicious. I went today for lunch, and there was no exception.

They don't have a separate lunch menu or specials or anything so it costs just as much, but it was OK. I think if I went back for lunch I'd probably split an entrée as we came back with lots of left overs. Good times.... My toddler apparently loves pad Thai... she's really picky about meat, won't eat it unless it's super tender and the chicken in my pad Thai today is rivaled in tenderness only by the way they prep chicken at India gate... loved it!

Try their crab and white asparagus soup too, the flavors are so delicious and subtle there is no way you will be disappointed.

The cupcake bar is so adorable, as is the staff! They are exceedingly helpful - you would think a person could choose a cupcake without help, but it is quite tough to choose between their great flavors of the month. They have some ol' fallbacks that are always there and special flavors that change every month - including a vegan cupcake choice! I know it is getting easier to get vegan things places, but I don't think most bakeries around here offer a single serving vegan item like this which is nice when you want to surprise a vegan friend with something little (which I did)... or if you ARE a vegan I'm sure you appreciate it even more.

I LOVE these cupcakes. and their cute toppings!!

I would recommend the dark chocolate ganash frosting and the caramel filling on some kind of chocolate cupcake specifically... but I've tried a few different cupcakes here and enjoyed them all.

I think there are some other places that have just as good desserts of other varieties but this is the place to go for cupcakes when you're in the mood for that.

It's nice that you can get a mini-cupcake or one that's a bit bigger too.

However, they are a bit pricey which is ok for a couple cupcakes - I think if I were ordering for a party they're a little too steep for me. It's a few dollars a cupcake which is not bad for one, but the discount on larger quantities is not very big. It's a lot more expensive then ordering a cake from most places I think.

Have I mentioned the staff is lovely? You should get in a conversation about cupcakes with them, I just want to say it again - the staff is lovely.  And the day after gay marriage was legalized in NY they were giving out free rainbow toppers for cupcakes! How adorable!

Besides the price... the only drawback I can think about this place is that they really only have cupcakes in store so if you are in the mood for any other kind of tasty baked good you are out of luck.

I really think Landie's chocolate covered oreos are the best thing ever...

or maybe the fact that you can get your second pound of chocolate at Landie's for two dollars is the best thing ever

or The Landie's Easter "Landie's loves kids day" might be the best thing ever

Or, that I work in the same building as Landie's is the best thing ever?

Or that Landie's are ALWAYS doing free give aways on their facebook page, and asking cute questions is the best thing ever?

Everytime I bite into a piece of Landie's chocolate (which isn't often, I enjoy it to be a special once in awhile treat) I think this is the best thing ever

Or that the staff is super friendly is the best thing ever?

....All I know is that all of these statements have "Landie's" and "best thing ever" in them.