Sparkely "Elite without the help of Yelp!™" K.'s Profile

On my way home from Redwood City, I realized that I was starving and wanted pancakes so badly, but didn't have time to make them with Bisquick.  There is so much talk of Stacks and I thought I would give them a try.  I ordered to go a stack of pancakes and bacon.  Doesn't that sound good?  With maple syrup!?  Butter?!?  After ordering I paid.................$13.31??  I thought perhaps I was not heard that it was just one order of bacon, so I clarified one order, but that's what was correctly rung up.

Pancakes and bacon for $13.31?  That is a lot of money.  Ten minutes later I got a bag with my food.  As soon as I got home I prepared my plate and warmed up the food just a bit.  Needless to say I was shocked to find faux-syrup product.  The pancakes had a funny aftertaste and the bacon was good.

Way overpriced.  Also, the interior of the restaurant did not wow me either.  More silk flower arrangements than Michael's.  My Bisquick p-cakes are so much better!

BeBe needed a new tire and I didn't want to go to my usual mechanic due to distance and hours, so I took a peek on Yelp and found Five Points Tires in Redwood City. After checking the size and brand of tires on my car I sent an email to FPT for pricing out the door. I got a very prompt response and set up an appointment since the price was right.

The service was excellent and very fast. I was pleased with the comfortable waiting area that included a television, comfortable chairs, and a wonderful rocking chair. Can you guess where I sat? I could have easily fallen asleep.

I was there less than 25 minutes and I'm one happy customer.

It's a great stop on the way to CalTrain for a bottle of wine. I walked in wanting a bottle of Navarro Pinot Noir and Edmeades Zinfandel, but as I am the last to find out, neither sells in retail stores. Thankfully the very nice staffer saw my wandering around as the perfect time to see if I needed help. He led me to a bottle of Handley 2006 Pinot Noir, also from the Anderson Valley, and I was thrilled. Part of the bottle is gone and it was scrumptious!!!!

Perhaps some of the horrible reviews have brought about some changes at this store as the service I received was excellent. The Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager provided great service while filling my prescription (and yes, I used my AAA card once again for a hefty discount), providing the $25 gift card, and ringing up all of my beauty items.  It was a very pleasant experience and I'll be back!

Spa Night - Act One

The Actors:
"Mommy" played by Sparkely K.
"Black Beauty" aka BeBe played by Sparkely's car

Scene One:
A crisp fall afternoon, driving northbound on El Camino Real through Redwood City and in to San Carlos.  Sparkely hears BeBe whining.

BeBe:         "Mommy, where are we going?"

Mommy:     "We're going to the spa so that I can soak in the tub before my massage."

*car sputters*

BeBe:          "Oh."

BeBe:          "Why can't I go to a spa?  I need attention, too!"

Mommy:      "Well, the spa is for people, not cars."

BeBe:           "Hmmmph.  But I'm dirty and need a bath. And your friend tracked in some dirt and leaves on the passenger side floor mat.  Oh, and remember that day you dropped a French Fry in the cup holder and didn't clean it up?  Yes, I noticed that.  And remember the day you almost hit that car and I stopped the car extra fast??  Do you??"

Mommy:  :-/

*Mommy sees the Redwood City Wash and abruptly pulls in to the parking lot and orders the deluxe Rain-X car wash.*

BeBe:    "Thanks, Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Redwood City Car Wash did a great job cleaning my sort-of dirty car with the dirt and leaves left on the floor, and the French Fry greasy spot that I apparently didn't wipe up.  For $24.99 I got a great car wash, I mean SPA TREATMENT for BeBe.  After pulling out of the car wash BeBe was strutting, walking like a natural man!

For my 500th review I was going to write about an outdoor hot tub visit, however, because of the service I received yesterday at Wachovia, the hot tub will have to wait.

I'm a big fan of Michigan football, hot tubs and outdoor showers, and my late Grandmother. I'm a fan of rainy days and travelling to new places. I'm a serious fan of medium rare ribeye steaks.

I'm not a big fan of financial institutions. My recent experience with Wamu-turned-Chase has left me cold. I loved Wamu and the great service, but Chase has chased me away, plain and simple.

I am, however, a newly devoted fan of Wachovia Bank at the Stanford Shopping Center. Upon entering the bank I was immediately greeted by the uber-professional Financial Center Manager (Michelle), and after telling her my tale of woe, was escorted to the incredibly friendly teller (Maria) who took such good care of me. Then I opened a secondary account with the very knowledgeable and personable New Accounts Manager (Anya). When I left, I waived at them as if saying goodbye to friends.

What a sharp contrast to my recent experiences. Honestly, this group offers professional customer service from a bygone era, and we don't see this level of interaction anymore. I can say unequivocally that this was the best banking experience of my adult life. Hands down.

It's only November 1st and I'm already seeing Christmas decorations.

Stop the Madness.
It's too early people!

I.  Love.  Department.  56.

I collect a piece just about every year and am full-on addicted.

Why did I not know until recently that this store exists??

I *know* that I used to have a review up of this place.  What the heck??!

I've been shopping at this store since it opened however many years ago, though not much for the past five years.  Just not very convenient for me.  Today I went to Stanford Shopping Center and wanted to pick up a sammie on the way home.  "Oh, there's Andronico's," I thought to myself.  I do remember getting my lunch here many many times when I worked in Palo Alto years ago. Always good food and service.

Wow.  Today I pulled in the parking lot and it was almost empty.  I wondered if the store was in fact open.  That is sad, when the 24-carat Safeway in Menlo Park is so crowded that they could actually put in a second level over the parking lot for the crowds!

I went in for a roast beef / cheddar sammie.  I have not been eating much beef for the last six weeks or so and this was a splurge (in addition to the beef I ate on Friday night and Saturday lunch...but anyway....).  I started to eat it and something was off.  The beef was somewhat "twangy" in flavor.  Twangy is a word I use - not sure if the rest of you use it...  Much of the twangy beef went to the garbage so I had a glorified cheese sammie.  Jalapeno Kettle chips were good.

I browsed the hot foods section and the stuff looked good.  Most likely won't be back as I don't like twangy food.

**The Best Farmers Market I've Ever Been To!!!**

*Great music (by Left Bank) and I felt as though I was in Paris
*Clean and not cluttered
*A crowd was there but it wasn't crowded
*Amazing produce, baked goods, meats, fish, jams, and misc foods
*Nice people and easy parking

I bought two Naan, that cilantro-based dipping sauce that I'm mad for that is found in Indian restaurants (what is it called??); Quiche Lorraine; organic rainbow Swiss Chard, and apples. Yummmmm! I will definitely be back!