Carla R.'s Profile

Thought I haven't spent much time here (two visits), I can say I'm a fan of 3 Friends Coffee House.  The service is laid back, but very friendly, the coffee/espresso is great and I like their variety of deserts with the gluten-free options.  Clean, spacious, stylish and that the same time not pretentious.

This is by far one of the nicest and cleanest spas I've ever been too. I haven't had any body work done there yet, but the hot tub and sauna is to die for. I love how clean and spacious it is and not made out of that slimy wood.   The staff is super friendly and the shower/changing area is pleasant and not scary creepy like other places I've been too. I guess that's important to me given that its co-ed and swimsuit-optional.

Since only vegan food I can have is RAW vegan due to not being able to consume soy, gluten, legumes, sugars, starches etc, I'm always on the lookout for RAW vegan cuisine when I have to go there (usually in the company of vegan friends).  I had the raw "pizza" and though it was pretty good, it was a little small for the price.  The accompanying salad was pretty tiny as well. I guess I'm used to consuming HUGE green salads and the portions at the Chaco Canyon had me starving in less than an hour.  Ordering the tiny pizza plus an extra salad cost me about $18 (before coffee) which is more than what I usually spend on just myself when I go out.  

I was excited to see they had kombucha but it was syrupy sweet - I couldn't finish it.  It was like drinking pure sugar.

Though this is a vegan grocery store, I wouldn't go so far as to call it a "health food store".  I'm not saying they claim to be one in the first place, but as a non-vegan, I would like to be able to occasionally find vegan items, that's not full of soy, refined or cane sugar and that isn't processed to death.  You can say this is a vegan junk food store but a lot of items they carry you can already find at conventional grocery stores and co-ops.

I don't think I've ever tasted Sushi this fresh before.  The best part is, what they serve is sustainable (there is more info on their website).

We didn't have a reservation when we happened upon this place on a weeknight, but there was seating at the bar which was a fun experience.  We pretty much had on own private Sushi chef.  

Its nice to be able to order sashimi al la carte instead of having to order a huge mystery platter where something may go to waste. Though I'm usually not a fan of "fancy" rolls, you must try the "green machine" or at least one of the house rolls.  

It will take you a while to get though the Sake, cocktail and wine list and the main menu is pretty massive - at least it was to me.
Our main server got us our drinks and starters pretty fast and the service overall was very accommodating.

Though I consider the coffee "just OK" (but not bad) I love the atmosphere, the outdoor seating, free WiFi, ample indoor seating and the casual but very friendly service.  You can not show up for two weeks and one of the guys will still remember your very specific/complicated espresso drink.

Desperate, hungry and just arrived in town for the night, Casa Romos was pretty convenient since its right across the parking lot from the Baymomnt Inn & Suites.  I tried to keep my order as simple as possible, but I must say, the salsa and sour cream was probably the best part of the meal.  

Bland shrimp, pale lettuce leaves (mostly iceberg), the beans looked and tasted canned and microwaved, hard rice, and previously frozen vegetables turned what I thought would would be a mediocre meal to downright nasty.

One star for friendly and accommodating customer service.

You shouldn't expect more than a clean, efficient place to lay your head when you're on the road.  Crammed rooms, flimsy bathrooms and dull decor.  The plus side is that the rooms and hotel are pretty clean, parking is pretty convenient and the rooms all have microwaves and refrigerators.  I agree, the hotel does look better in the photos though.  ++ Straight shot on and off highway 5.  Not bad for ONE night.

Though The Edgewater Hotel isn't in  the best location for me, I would definitely stay there again during my next visit to Seattle.  After getting a good http://Expedia.com deal (not including $36/day valet parking and drinks at the bar of course) our final bill was relatively inexpensive.  The decor has a "woodsy" theme, but not terribly rustic - more modern/chic than anything.  The bathroom was modern and comfortable  though our room didn't have a tub (other rooms do though).  We were street side and the all-night Amtrak and freight trains could keep you up at night, but there wasn't a lot of street or foot traffic in general.  The gas fireplace was a nice touch and kept our room VERY warm.

The gym was small but efficient and clean and the restaurant/bar (we only hung out at the bar side) is quite fun with a nice view of a water.  Of course its going to be a little pricey.  You're paying for the decor, the view and the convenience of dining and/or drinking in - especially if its pouring out!

Before I left Berkeley, Cafe M was always a good place to have lunch away from the 4th Street crowds.  I never had breakfast, but the lunch salads (I usually had it with salmon or ahi tuna) were always pretty good.  The service was always passable until our last visit there:

My guy asked for a side of balsamic vinegar and olive oil for his salad and our server handed him the bottles.  After he slathered his salad with what he thought was balsamic vinegar, he immediately though his salmon was over salted.  It took a few minutes before we both realized that the server give us SOY SAUCE, not balsamic vinegar.  She apologized  half hearty and we had to ASK her to have the salad remade (due to her mistake).

In a situation like that in most places, his entree would have either been free or at least our coffee drinks would have been taken off the final bill.  She make the mistake of giving us the wrong condiment and he had to ask for another salad and wait another 15 minutes before he got his food.  She was not even apologetic about it.  He begged  her for a discount off our final bill.  In hindsight, maybe we should have consulted with a manager when she didn't offer, but I couldn't see going back after that.