Suzy "Shazam" S.'s Profile

This is the epitome of kettle corn!!!! That ratio of sweet/salty is right on and perfectly popped too. I thought I'd just take a taste and ate the entire BIG bag of kettle goodness. Just can't get enough and will NEVER buy brand X again!

Thanks to John and Peter for the friendly smiles and genuine customer service!

We have dined here since they opened 7 or 8 years ago and always enjoyed it.
When greeted by Eddie, the owner, or our favorite server, Rosie, we feel like we've just joined them for a family meal.

I frequent here most often for lunch with my co-workers sharing many dishes. We always start with potstickers that are prepared at the table. Not overly greasy and the best around. Can you say "finger lickin' good?" My go-to dish for lunch is the Basil Chicken and Shrimp, but all dishes are good.

The truly standout dish is Peking Duck for dinner. It is prepared in a traditional manner: crispy pieces of duck are served on little soft succulent buns with scallions and hoisin sauce. We've eaten duck in many places, including Beijing, and this is on the same par with places in China that are famous for their duck. But here they also serve a second course of duck meat stir-fried with veggies that is heavenly also.

Last week they began serving dim sum and I'm anxious to give it a try.

This spot deserves an update and upgrade to 5 stars. We have come here many times since I last reviewed and have had nothing but wonderful meals.
Picture a day of biking in 45 degree weather and looking for a warm place to rest and  satisfy my pangs of hunger. I was delighted to stop here on our way home, anticipating an oasis of sorts in my mind. It didn't disappoint.

We were fortunate to arrive when the place was empty. A very rare occurrence. Our server/owner supplied us with hot tea, comforting dumplings, seaweed salad, chow mein and even adjusted the space heater to blow in our direction. I was in heaven. We couldn't ask for more.

REI provides that best customer service ever!

Some days just don't go as planned. We had planned to spend the day riding bikes at the shoreline. Got a late start and of course had to stop for breakfast. Thought we'd make one more quick stop at REI to make a return first. I had purchased a bike rack online, but who knew that you have to purchase a special rack to fit a bike with disc brakes?

Once at REI we quickly processed our return at the Customer Service counter but got lost in browsing through this wonderland of recreational equipment. Lee asked if they carried a bike rack for disc brakes and although there was none on display, our salesperson went in the back and found one in stock. He even went outside with Lee to ensure that it would fit my bike. Perfect, now I am ready to ride, but Lee found several trunk bags to go on the rack. After much discussion about size and function we select one that fits my needs but no price tag. We seek out the help of yet another salesperson. He scans the label and provides us with a price but informs that it's not a bag that will fit the rack, instead he shows us another that not only fits but is larger and less expensive. Whew, glad he knows his stuff. Now I'm really ready to get going.

Moving on to the shoreline...Lee thinks he can install my rack quickly with the tools he has in the truck. I assist as much as possible while people watching on the beach. After much ado, he realizes that not only is the package missing a nut, but the rack will be too close to my tire when completely install. One hour and 30 minutes later, we are BACK to REI to seek help.

My patience is short at this point and I sat in the car while Lee went in to see what could be done. He finds another salesperson, Perry, who is sympathetic to our situation and finds the missing nut. Lee says he thinks he can customize the rack fit if he had 2 longer bolts to secure the rack in a higher position. Perry, going above and beyond, goes into the parts department and searched through a huge box to find what was needed. We are back on the road again heading to the shoreline.

Lee's hard work, with Perry's help, paid off and the rack is now installed, complete with a beautiful new trunk bag on the back of my Giant. Total time: 4 hours. We ride at sunset for half an hour and load up the bikes....
Not the day we had in mind but sometimes little projects take big time.
Thanks REI (and Perry) for doing all you could to help get us get up and running.

I've been remiss in not reviewing Ici sooner. We have visited many times and each time the favor we selected has been unique and complex. This is my favorite ice cream by far. Sure glad we don't live nearby. Those that want ordinary can go to B&R (don't get me wrong, there's a time and place for them also - I'm a Jamocha Almond Fudge junkie), extraordinary is Ici.

On our recent visit we had imbibed in a ton of garlic in a nearby Italian spot and skipped their dessert to make a stop at Ici. What better way to cleanse the palate then an ice cream on a cool winter night. We walked up to make our way in the door, which is unusual. Although packed like sardines inside we didn't wait long before the extremely friendly and patient server was handing over samples. There is always so much to choose from. What we didn't select this evening: Spiced Pear Sorbet (too healthy), Persimmon-Brandied Currant, Rice Pudding, Earl Grey, Candied Blood Orange and for those that can't make a decision, just plain Chocolate.

With my Honey Rosemary Pine nut scoop and his Oatmeal Chocolate cone in hand we were out the door and made our way passed the long line that had formed outside. We perched on a nearby bench and smugly devoured our treats. It could be snowing and we'd still think it was Ici ice cream time!

If you're looking for a cozy, intimate, quiet little place to take your date - THIS ISN'T IT! Cozy - YES, Quiet - Absolutely NOT, but Good? - YES!!!!

I'm rounding up - would rate this as a strong 3.5 stars on our first visit. It was a pleasant meal in a very LOUD environment. It was good enough that we'll return and I can give it an update.

We happened to be returning from a Saturday afternoon bike ride and I remembered that we were close to this spot. Unlike other reviews, I didn't think our wait was unreasonable considering it was Saturday night and they were quite busy. A half hour wait surrounded by interesting folks and a friendly hostess isn't all that bad. Sure glad we had cash on hand or we would've made the quick jog to Wells Fargo up the street.

Once seated we gobbled the bread and fantastic olive oil dipping sauce. We emptied one dish and our server quickly replaced it with a full one. The garlic in that dish would keep a coven of vampires away. We asked about the dip and the server pointed to a bottle and mentioned it by name (but I couldn't hear because it was too damned loud) and they have it for sale. Last thing I'd need is a bottle of that delectable oil at home, it's safer to eat it here in moderate portions.

The Cesare salad was ok. Good flavor but I was disappointed that there were no anchovies on top. Although the menu states that there's anchovies in many of their dishes, I didn't see a one in the salad or my pasta as expected.

Where the Cesare was lacking, the Puttanesca made up for it. The single serving was the perfect portion for myself with my husband sampling. Pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was heavenly - with the the right kick that a puttanesca should have. With an olive or caper in every bite I was in heaven.

He ordered the Pesto con Gamberi which was way too rich for me. He enjoyed it but admitted that while very good, he would like to try other sauces that weren't so overwhelming. I forked a shrimp that was mighty tasty if it wasn't drowning in pesto.

Our server was very personable and provided decent service considering how busy they were. I suppose in retrospect I would've liked to have ice in my sparkling water and wasn't sure if this was just an oversight or how they really serve it.

I look forward to trying other dishes as I saw many interesting plates served around us. It might warrant another bike ride after ingesting all those carbs!

I had only eaten All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi once before and it wasn't something I desired to repeat. We arrived here late on New Year's Day after traveling all day, tired and hungry. My expectations were low, but the price was right so we opted to sit at the sushi bar and order off the AYCE menu. The menu offered a wide variety of rolls, nigiri and included appetizers and green tea ice cream for dessert.

The rolls were crafted nicely with excellent presentation by the chef, Corbin, which is quite a feat considering he was working non-stop to fill the orders of the packed house. The man is sushi roll machine!  We ordered 4 or 5 different rolls, all were quite good with fresh ingredients. The nigiri that we ordered was a bit disappointing but the handrolls were better.

It's not the best ever sushi, but a big improvement over my previous AYCE experience. Considering all options while dining in the casino, Rim is a good choice to satisfy those hunger pangs when you're at the Grand Sierra.

Great steak sandwich! Our server/bartender, Shanna, provided the perfect meal recommendations and friendly small town service.

We stopped in for breakfast the next day and it was exactly as Shanna described - a bar breakfast. The eggs were on the hard side of over easy and the biscuits and gravy were just ok. If it's cheap eats you're looking for then you're in the right place. Stick with lunch or dinner and you'll get the best red meat meal in town. Can't beat the ice cold beer after a long hike at Joshua Tree.

It's New Years Day and I'm moving slow. Wasn't all that hungry when we arrived but once seated with menu in hand I took interest. This place was packed by mid-morning so I gathered the food was decent.

When our order arrived I had one of the best pecan waffles I've had in a long while;  crisp with lots of pecans and sliced bananas added.  He ordered pancakes with bacon and poached eggs on the side. He said the eggs were poached perfectly using the old fashioned/traditional method of dropping in water. No mold was used to make the eggs form into a circular disc shape which lends to an overcooked egg. There is a skill to serving up a poached egg that isn't cooked hard or worst yet, with runny whites and it's obvious that Jack's cook has mastered it. I snitched a piece of lean bacon and it paired well with my waffle.

Best part of the entire, very pleasant, dining experience was our server, Karen. She welcomed us with a friendly, warm smile and made us feel like we had just come home for breakfast. She showed a sincere interest in making sure we were happy with our meals. We chatted about the holidays and felt like part of the family. The world needs more Karens. We won't soon forget her warmth and will return to take a place at her table again next time we're in town.

Server - Good
Margarita - Good

That's the 2 stars.

I've had much better Mexican most every place I've been. The Chili Relleno was filled with, what looked like, Velveeta cheese. My flautas were tasteless so I poured most of the table's salsa over them to give them life. The hot salsa could use more heat, while the mild was just plain boring.

Didn't have high expectations going in but wouldn't return here on our next visit to the area.