Real people. Real reviews. ®

On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.

Photo of anne marie p.

Photo of anne marie p.

"my life is so perfect, i'm looking for a problem to drink about."

Review votes:
513 Useful, 255 Funny, and 485 Cool

Location

Irvine, CA

Yelping Since

January 2008

Things I Love

Labyrinths, geocaching, disc golf, par courses, badminton.

Find Me In

my living room, checking on my mafia

My Hometown

Daly City, CA

My Blog Or Website

http://brekkiefansblog.../

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm probably thinking about food.

Why You Should Read My Reviews

I tend to be overly detailed and service oriented.

My Second Favorite Website

http://www.realsimple.com

The Last Great Book I Read

I dig periodicals - - EW, Real Simple

My First Concert

how about my last?  Staind

My Favorite Movie

The Italian Job, The American President or Out of Sight

My Last Meal On Earth

prix fixe at Per Se - atop Time Warner Center in NYC

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I like to clean.

Most Recent Discovery

Miche handbags

Current Crush

George Clooney in Up In the Air

Recent Reviews

464 Reviews

Filter by: Location   Category
14010 Remington
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 551-8601

St Thomas More Catholic Church  

Category: Churches

4 star rating
 Update - 1/31/2010  
Please please please move the 11am to 11:15 (or even better, 11:30) so my car won't get ticked at me when it takes 10+minutes just to get into the parking spot.  

Otherwise, this is one lovely parish.

Was this review …?

 

1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 5 star rating
    11/4/2009

    They are relocating to the corner of Market Place and Irvine Boulevard, across from Target.  Shiny and new is always nice, ya know?

    Oh, and 8am weekday mass is 30 minutes.  Is it like that everywhere else?  I would've changed my work schedule sooner if I knew that.

    Was this review …?

     

8390 La Palma Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714) 220-6400

Portillo's  

Categories: Hot Dogs, Delis

3 star rating
 Update - 1/31/2010  
Tried sitting out on the patio on a Sunday afternoon, and it was nice.

Also tried the chili cheese dog, fried chicken sandwich and cheese fries....(I SHARED all of it).  Everything was pretty good, but I think I'll switch back to the dipped beef or beef & cheddar croissant next time.

Their drive thru also touts they've got the best burgers (where have I heard THAT before), but I don't think I'm ready for that yet.  Especially since we've got so many other places to choose from....

3.5 stars

Was this review …?

 

2 Previous Reviews: Hide »

  • 5 star rating
    1/22/2010

    This time it was a drive-thru experience.

    I picked up lunch for myself and my bff the other week.  Before I reached the speaker, there was someone standing there with a headset and clipboard.  She took my order and relayed it back to the inside team.

    As tempting as their hot dogs sounded, I stuck to my guns and tried the Italian Beef (dipped).  Damn tasty!  I mean, did you expect any less?

    Was this review …?

     

  • 4 star rating
    7/22/2009

    OK, I had this preconceived notion of what to expect today.  It was shattered as I pulled into the parking lot.

    Really nice structure with the 30s Prohibition theme (whatever that means) inside the parking lot of Buena Park Mall.  Don't forget the air conditioning advertised on the window!

    Very spacious and orderly.  Eat-in orders (except salads) are all noted on white paper bags and passed down to the folks makin' it.  An upgrade from small to large soda was only 20 cents!  

    I was given 2 pieces of advice on what to order, but decided to go with the words of wisdom from those in Chi-town.  Try the beef and cheddar croissant.  Added some sweet peppers (which were more soggy and salty than anything else), shared a few onion rings, and washed it down with an Arnold Palmer (no refills).

    I was a little disappointed by the handful of rings we got in our serving.  The container was more conducive to crinkle fries than our order.  Can't have it all, right?

    Got there right after they opened (10:30-10:30, but later on weekends I believe).  Beat the lunch rush.  Lemme tell you, it gets BUSY for lunch.  I hear the same about weekends.

    Worth a visit especially if you're anywhere near the mouse.

    Was this review …?

     

108 S Fairmont Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92808
(714) 998-4110

Hibachi Steak House  

Category: Japanese

3 star rating
 1/31/2010  
more like 3.5 stars

Cons first:
* tight seating - enough said
* the smell - clings to your clothes
* the parking - crazy busy, most likely because I'm there on a Saturday nite
* the chef - kinda messed up one of our orders, only did 1/2 a trick (volcano with no flame)

Pros:
* package deal - soup, salad, veggies, appetizer, rice and entree
* price - about $20 after tax, tip for chicken meal
* timing - there's always something to eat...not getting hungry waiting

Make a reservation, but know you need 2/3 of the party present to be seated.

Was this review …?

 

500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Yelp OC's Afternoon Delight Elite Party at Zimzala  

Category: Local Flavor

5 star rating
 1/31/2010  
Why would I give it any less?

My +1 and I get there early to find parking and avoid lines.  What happens when I sit down and wait for them to finish setting up?  Hazel spots and beelines towards me, "Hi Anne Marie" *hug*.  The woman has the best memory!  Heck, I was happy just to make the cut.

While wearing white was a challenge, it was a perfect theme by the ocean.  DJ was spinning lots of old school Madonna (excellent) and Total Wine & More offered red & white beverages.  Agree with Marian B. that the menu made me extra cautious with my attire.  Loved the toasted pitas with hummus.

Picked up my reusable bag and one of those mini nail files (so cute!).  We started al fresco, but quickly relocated to a cozy table in the far corner of the main room.  Had a great time hanging with Amy K., Jerome W., Ryan M., Debbie W., and everybody's +1.

My +1 (very hard to please) really enjoyed himself and wants to go back for a meal.  (Crossing fingers for a gift certificate).

Was this review …?

 

3364 E La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 666-2695

Concourse Bowling Center  

Category: Bowling

4 star rating
 1/31/2010  
For a bowling alley, this really kicks the ass of Tustin Lanes & Irvine Bowl.

Why this is 4 and not 5 stars:
* Restrooms - ick.  Nobody checking every hour
* Location - if you don't know where to look, it's easy to miss the driveway.

Everything else:
* Rockin' DJ playing everything top 40 and r&b
* Comfortable furniture
* Updated scoring system
* Reasonable pricing
* Bowling balls are separated by weight, so easy to find ones for me
* Quality TV screens everywhere

Kinda felt like a night club.  They card on Saturday nights.  Man, it got crowded there, too.

I hear their brunch special is fantastic.

Was this review …?

 

6238 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 748-6600

Cox Solutions Store  

5 star rating
 1/26/2010   First to Review
A location OTHER than Quail Hill in Irvine!!

This one has been open for just under a month in the Woodbury Town Center, off Sand Canyon/Irvine Blvd.  It is to the left of Trader Joe's and GNC.

I went yesterday to find NO LINE.  Lots of staff ready to assist, though.  I swapped my cable box and also found what I've been hunting for:  the Digi

http://www.youtube.com...

you know, the cute white/blue silent mascot guy.  he was on sale for $10!  Apparently their best selling item.  

So don't bother with the 30+ minute wait over at Quail Hill and show Woodbury some love.  Heck, pick up some groceries afterwards.

Was this review …?

 

13852 Red Hill Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 508-2196

Big Lots  

Category: Department Stores

4 star rating
 1/22/2010  
In this economy, a person can't afford to always go to Target for everything.  I decided to give this a try.  Normally, I go with friends, so going alone was kinda weird.

There's lots and lots of STUFF everywhere.  I mean, not in a bad way.  Tons of housewares, food stuff, and seasonal items.  The aisles that go diagonal down the middle throw off my path up and down the aisles, but I roll with it.

Found an acceptable white elephant gift for $10.  Scored some gourmet salt & pepper flavored microwavable popcorn for about $3.  Wish I grabbed the jars of roasted red peppers for $2, but that's on me.

Other than having shelves jammed with merch, I can see myself coming here the next time I need something like a picture frame, bath rug, office supply or pantry item.  Parking is easy, and I'm always surprised at how much stuff I can get for cheap!

Was this review …?

 

13250 Jamboree Rd
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 832-5855

Daphne's Greek Cafe  

Category: Restaurants

3 star rating
 1/22/2010  
For Greek take-out, this is acceptable.

Sure, if you want more authentic taste -- go elsewhere.  However, on occasion I crave some gyro or pita.  This is predictable and accessible.

Yes, I've been to non-chains that are really tasty.  They've also been hard to communicate with and not very friendly (one place gave me grief over requesting a copy of the receipt for my records).

Daphne's works in a pinch, but aside from better service it's just another chain.

Was this review …?

 

2170 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 660-1516

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Superstore  

Category: Fabric Stores

3 star rating
 1/22/2010  
So I needed a sweater stone.

This is the closest location, so I went.  Forgot that I've driven by here more times than I can remember.  Used to have a Shoe Pavilion next door....but I digress.

Found what I was looking for (layout is the same as others) and went to pay.  There were at least 3 cashiers on duty that day - a Monday a lunch.  Impressed, but not too surprised since there was a line.

I'm just glad they had what I was looking for.

Was this review …?

 

3601 S Bristol Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 540-0020

Chick-Fil-A  

Category: Fast Food

5 star rating
 1/22/2010  
Thought this would be like the other locations, but there were two things that stood out.

* Sofas:  Comfy place to sit while you wait for your takeout.

* Staff:  Three individuals were on their feet.  One constantly cleared tables.  Another was offering samples.  The third (and I'm assuming manager, by the way he was dressed) offered refills.  

They have some serious turnover here at lunch, and I'm positive service is one of the reasons why.

Was this review …?

 


More »

96 Friends

 

Dru C. photo

142

367

Dru C.

 

Charlton L. photo

4984

137

Charlton L.

 

Amy K. photo

374

602

Amy K.

 

Robin Z. photo

1159

356

Robin Z.

More »

244 Compliments

  • You're Funny

    next time I'm going to make it a point to come and say HI!

  • Just a Note

    you were at the white party, no??? I thought I recognized but then you were… More »

  • You're Cool

    Glad you enjoyed the event at Ziimzala, looking forward to see ya at future… More »

More »

6 Lists

Photo of Nordstrom

Hi, maintenance.

What it takes to be me in OC.
1.  Nordstrom
The first thing my…
2.  Ulta Cosmetics
Getting $3.50 off a $10…
3.  Culver Shoe Repair
My red Kenneth Cole peep…
See Full List »
Photo of The Veggie Grill

Top Chefs

Places I'm more than happy to recommend.
1.  The Veggie Grill
Kudos for memorable…
2.  Club 33
This is a mini-review.…
3.  The Counter
February's Featured…
See Full List »

View All Lists »