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Review votes:
3155 Useful, 2548 Funny, and 2911 Cool
Pasadena, CA
Yelping SinceOctober 2007
Things I LoveRichard Cheese, Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat
Find Me Inthe WoW widow support group
My HometownStillwater, MN
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm hooping.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI tell it like it is.
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadBorn To Run
My First ConcertAerosmith and Dokken. yes. really.
My Favorite MovieHeat
My Last Meal On EarthFillet and foie at Crimson in Los Gatos.
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I am the one who flags those fake ass reviews.
Most Recent DiscoveryI am a cougar in training.
Current CrushDark haired boys with big brains.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 793-7330
Zephyr
Categories: Art Galleries, Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Pasadena
My summary of my experience at Zephyr is:
It is awkward inside with an uncomfortable ambiance, like a library only you're supposed to be there to drink coffee and eat light food. Why are we whispering again? I thought this was a coffee shop.
The barista \ cashier misunderstood every single word of my difficult order which was "small cappuccino." He struggled with every aspect of service from greeting us, figuring out how to run the register, and making the drinks. The espresso was over-extracted, the milk was steamed until it caramelized, the foam had no body, just weakness that completely collapsed by the time he handed the drink to me. So what I really got was a half empty latte. OK fine.
We try to find a place to sit down and every sofa was taken despite dining rooms being mostly empty. This is because a single person will take an entire sofa for themselves, their coat, jacket, multiple bags, and then avoid eye contact entirely so that you feel terrible if you ask them to share. On every single sofa. And I thought you're supposed to be a customer to sit there and use the internet but nobody had a mug or a plate or a fork so I dunno WTF is up with this joint.
Prices are too high for the lame-o ambiance and the coffee isn't good enough to justify coming here in order to take it to go.
As far as I'm concerned this space could be an amazing coffee shop but as it is right now I can't find a redeemable quality to it and I won't return.
I am mad at you right now Yelp.
You might think that all firms are the same, but as a consultant on a 1099 or a W-2 you need something more than a guy on the phone who says he can get you the interview.
1) You want to work with the firm that has the best relationship with the employer. TEKsystems is usually that firm.
2) You want the firm who will give you the best rate and not jerk you around with last minute "sorry the client can't pay that much we have to cut it down." If you didn't know, yes that happens out there. Often. But not with TEKsystems.
3) You want recruiters who understand the business, skill sets, and have good relationship management and follow through skills. This is one place where TEKsystems far exceeds any other staffing firm I have ever worked with.
4) Support staff. It might not sound like a complicated thing, but do you know how many firms can't even get your paycheck right? TEKsystems does. And the other support issues such as timecards, benefits, forms are handled by smart efficient people. This is rare people, very rare.
5) Once the job is over TEKsystems doesn't forget about you. They check in, they ask where you're at, how you're doing, oh you moved? Here are some contacts in your new area.
So when you get that call for a job opportunity or you see a posting on Dice or you hear that a company is hiring, call TEKsystems first before you talk to anyone. Find out if they have the job listed too. I think your chances of getting hired are phenomenally better when represented by TEKsystems.
Shouts out to my favorite TEKsystems people:
Rob Schluensen in San Francisco
Selena Gee in East Bay, Northern Cal
and last but totally not least: Justin Stewart in La Jolla/San Diego
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 229-9784
24 Hour Fitness
Category: Gyms
Neighborhood: Pasadena
1. Don't bother going until you know specifically what you intend to do there. Have specific goals, know what they are and work toward them. If you don't know how to reach your goals, meet with a trainer a few times to get started. There is nothing sadder than a person wandering around the gym wondering what to do and ultimately those people don't last. They always drop out and they always stay squishy.
2. Bring a towel and if you wanna earn brownie points with me? Use it. Also wipe off the cardio machine when you're done. You can use the spray stuff or your towel if it isn't too nasty.
3. Bring a lock. I can't tell you how many unlocked lockers I've opened to find them full of people's stuff.
4. If you don't like a busy gym, come at another time. It's open 24 hours. If you aren't dedicated enough to deal with the busyness and can't show up at another time then don't bother joining at all.
5. Just try it. All gyms offer some kind of trial and this one is no exception. Try it out, see if you like it. If you don't like it you can save yourself some drama by not joining.
6. Finally, my own personal pet peeve: if you want to get something out of your time on the elliptical or stair climber machine? Don't drape your body over the console and merely move your legs. Also propping yourself up on your hyper extended elbows isn't going to do anything for you either. If you can't hack it, drop the resistance or intensity, or just don't bother.
I used to work out at Sunnyvale Fitness in Nor Cal. It's a little garage sized gym. Awesome but small. I hadn't been inside a proper gym in a long time and I gotta say this gym has more than I ever wanted. All the equipment is there: cardio stuff, climbing wall, lap pool, assisted pull up machine, free motion fitness cable machines, stability balls, medicine balls, free weights, and all the specific weight machines (if you use those kinds of machines you seriously need a personal trainer), benches, and I think I saw a smith machine.
I've only had one personal training session so far (complimentary with a membership). It was with Josh and he was great, really knew his stuff. I've trained with PTs before and he's the real deal. In fact, in that one hour session I got more useful information than a years worth of Oxygen mags. Yes really.
So show up, get your free pass, try it out, dig on the no-initiation fee special, the $29 a month NO CONTRACT deal. You can't beat that. For this price and value I rate the gym 5 stars.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 796-4253
Halftime Cuts
Categories: Hair Salons, Barbers
Neighborhood: Pasadena
I gave him $40 hoping he'd have enough for a tip (my treat since that man really wants the job and I wanted him to feel good about his appearance when he went in for the interview).
Booking the appointment was easy and getting there was a breeze. There is parking in the back and we didn't have any trouble finding a spot. I didn't go inside, gotta give a dude some space and besides I wanted to go to the grocery store to pick up some things. God this review probably sounds like I'm the most bossy bitch around but really we were just out running errands around his cut.
Anyway he came out all smiles and looking good with an excellent cut and even some $ left after tipping the barber.
My tip to you? Tell them you found them on Yelp. Really. Tell them. You'll be glad you did.
Boyfriend says he's found THE place by the way.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 578-9017
My Vegan
Categories: Thai, Vegan, Vegetarian
Neighborhood: Pasadena
The prices are reasonable.
The portions are large.
The service is friendly.
The dining room is clean.
They deliver for free.
By my count they should have 6 stars!
I tried the supreme fried rice and the pad see ew. Both were fantastic. The iced tea is also very good.
For those of you who think you don't like meat free but you are trying to make better choices (for you health, the environment, animals whatever), or folks who are vegan but your dining companion is not: this is a great spot for you.
If you're a meat eater I recommend the following meat free choices based on flavor and texture: Near, Seitan, Soy Nuggets, and Soy Chicken. I liked the flavor of the Soy Shrimp but I think a serious carnivore might dislike the texture. I didn't try the soy pepper steak yet.
I will absolutely return and / or order for delivery. Soon!
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-5215
Maikobe
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Pasadena
I really enjoyed this place for happy hour. The food was great. $2 beers! And I didn't have to pay a cover at a sticky college bar to get 'em either. Cody took great care of us - he even let us all have separate checks. He offered, in fact.
I took off a star for a very sad restroom but that is something that can easily be sorted out.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 304-9449
Quiznos
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Pasadena
1) The employees are very sullen looking, sad, like they need a hug.
2) The employees move at a very slow pace.
3) I don't like how the counter is set up, you can't see the toppings so you won't end up with a custom sandwich. You'll get the "lettucetomatomayo" that the staff will mumble to you before putting your sandwich together.
4) What the hell is up with the broccoli cheese water? There should be a roux or something to thicken it up. Or at least you can go all food services on me and stir in some xanthan gum or something...anything to thicken up the orange water.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6150
Testarossa Winery
Categories: Wineries, Venues & Event Spaces
2. Why on earth would you put a wine on your tasting lineup that isn't for sale, not even if you are a member? I understand if you are using it to kind of sink a hook into a sale, but you're pouring it for everyone and everyone has to get disappointed when they can't buy it?
3. If you had let me taste I would have bought a case of the 2nd label Chard because I snuck a sip from my friends glass and loved it. But to reward you for not letting me taste seemed wrong.
4. The guy at the tasting bar in the back (I think Michael?) was very knowledgeable about the winery and wines which is a major improvement from the folks pouring last time so good job on that!
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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7/20/2009
Testarossa is a pretty winery that is not so far off the beaten path. It has an amazing history and would be an amazing venue for parties. The staff that pours wines is friendly enough, though I think several of the people pouring don't know much about the wine as demonstrated by them reading the label to me rather than telling me about it.
On to the wine. On July Passport day they were pouring three Chardonnays. All had huge heady noses. The third was an '05: Diana's Reserve. It was wonderful. But $55 for a bottle of Chard? Puh-Leeze.
The reds they were pouring mostly sucked except the last which was a Subasio Syrah. It was good but I couldn't tell if that was because all the other reds were so bad. One of them was absolutely undrinkable.
They also sell bucketloads of the schlock that so many other wineries are selling: t-shirts, polos, books, jam, vinegar, oil, doo-dahs. One thing I will give them credit for is stocking a fantastic 2 year aged cheddar. If you go there with any plans of not leaving your car in the hot sun for the rest of the day: buy some of that cheddar.
I think the winery has a lot going for it, but they really need to come back down to earth. Once Testarossa brings the quality to a consistent level and the price to a point that doesn't match it's name, they'll become a favorite of mine. Until then? This place is for busloads of tourists only.
Date
Oroweat Protein Health, 12 Grain, and the regular Whole Wheat are my favorite breads but this shop carries the full line of Oroweat products. They also carry Bimbo, Hostess, Entemanns, the Cinnabon bread, jelly and jam, pastries, english muffins, and more. Most breads are in the $1.99 to 2.99 range though they have the small loaves for $1.00. There is a loyalty card program where you can earn free bread with purchases. They also have reusable shopping bags for $.99. Buy two of them and you get a 1.99 loaf of bread for free.
Love this place!
One more thing - the address is right but the map looks wrong when it loads in the session I'm using to type this review. Just stay on Temple City Blvd, it's just a block or so north of the I-10. There is plenty of parking. Oh and if you buy too much you can freeze the extras. As long as you let it defrost naturally (not in the microwave) it will thaw nicely. You can also freshen a loaf by wrapping in foil and putting in a 300 degree oven for 5 minutes.
Enjoy!