Michelle P.'s Profile

I was ready to do it... make the switch from the Big Bank to the local Credit Union, until I walked in here.  First, the address takes you to the side of the building that is locked.  Please enter on the other side where you'll find a creepy walk up window, dimly lit walkway to the front door and security guard standing 20 feet away, not paying attention.  

I walked in and found that no one greeted me.  Nope.  Not a single person, even as I stood in front of  (what I later found out was) the check in desk.  Two women stood there talking, taking no notice of me and didn't fail to give me a dirty look when I apologized for interrupting to find out if I needed to get in line to open a new account.

Open a new account you say? Most banks would jump at the chance to have you say such things! But not here.  I was quickly and curtly told, "No, that I needed to check in and wait." I declined the application, as I had already done my homework and completed it, and was told to sit in the lobby with a passive wave of the woman's hand.  Which direction, I didn't know.  Then she clarified and I was ushered to the back/front of the building to sit in an area that much resembles the waiting room of a drug test lab.  

Remember that line I spoke about? Jam packed.  And outside at the walk up windows too.  Other yelpers have commented that the lines are busy on certain days/pay days/and the like, but this was 11:30 on a Wednesday, the 18th.  I saw a gentleman in a wheelchair inching himself through the line and wondered how he is going to communicate with the teller when the window is almost higher than his head.  

My name was taken and I was soon called in a fashion that reminded me of meeting with a depressed guidance counselor, wishing they'd done something better with their life than listen to their guidance counselor.  The woman instructed me to have a seat at window #whatever.  I sat at the dirty, dingy, gray cubicle that made me feel like I was in trouble.  Not once did she smile at me, or ask how I was doing or anything.  In fact, no one had.  It was as if I was bothering them.  This is not what I imagined a CU to be like.  Hell, my big bank has a doorman who greets me at most locations, someone approaches me with a wide grin and asks how they can help, even in the "less desirable" locations where they ask for two ID's when cashing a check.

I told the woman I wanted to open an account, but really hesitated.  Checking is $4/month, $2/mo if you have direct deposit, and free if you maintain a balance of $300 at all times.  Oh, and they charge you $1 to open the account.  I thought I was leaving to get away from the fees.  

The available ATM's outside of an LBS location are in any 7-11 or Farmer's Merchant Bank.  And here's where I take issue.  I want to feel safe when I go to deposit or withdraw money.  Of the locations available near me to do my banking (even this one, that isn't really near me), I would not feel safe.  Even during the day.  

So, I left.  With my money.  I deposited that cashier's check into my Big Bank account.  I'll have to check with my work's CU and see how that goes, but if it's anything like this, I'm not optimistic about "making the switch."

So far I can't say I think much of Urth Cafe.  Every time I pass by it's jam packed, but I find it terribly alarming that one would have to wait over 10 minutes for a tea to go.  Never mind that the staff doesn't have good control over the ordering lines and puts people who come after ahead of others.  It's chaotic and tight inside, and even with six staff behind the counter, it takes forever, likely because they're making stupid designs in your cup.  I don't know if I'll ever eat there, just on the outside looks alone.  If I do, it had better be effing ah-maze-ing.

Just standing in this confectionery store is a wonderful feeling.  The staff is warm, friendly, and attentive.  The patrons follow a friendly and orderly fashion - not a single person glaring or pushing or trying to cut in front of anyone.  I loved looking at all the wonderful sweets, arranged in such a perfect and lovely fashion in their cases. I got one of each of the macaroons.  You might think vanilla is a bit simple, but it was simply perfect and was the best of them.  The Brit had an eclair that was one of the best I've ever had.  Typically the pastry is soggy, but not this one.  There's even a tiny sliver sheet of real gold topping it.  It was divine and he enjoyed it at a local cafe with an Armagnac and coffee.  I also bought marzipan done in the design of the Basque flag, supposed to be flavored plain, raspberry and pistachio, but it all pretty much tastes the same.  Ultimately, the marzipan is just OK.  There are four total locations for Paries, and while in France that could likely be considered a "chain," it's totally worth it and gives you that vacation indulgence you love to have when somewhere foreign - er, at least I love to have. :)  I would recommend getting yourself a treat and sitting outside in the courtyard, but even with rain soaked days you can enjoy Paries sat inside a warm cafe.

Along a desolate country road you'll find The Black Stallion, a bright, yellow little building that seems out of place.  You'll wonder if it's open and find that it is, even when there isn't a soul for miles around.  Pull up and park in the pebbled lot and find yourself greeted at your car door by a black and white chatty cat.  The cat will want in the front door, but I didn't know if it was allowed.  

Once inside, you'll have the intoxicating aroma of rich chocolate creeping into your nose and oozing a smile across your face.  If you'd like, you can buy a flashy tea pot, but the real reason you're here is the wall covered in beautiful chocolate nibbles.  The owner's wife will greet you in a tone that makes you wonder if she's really happy to see you, until she learns you speak English and loves chatting you up and the opportunity to practice her English.  She was ever so giving and pushed lovely bites our way to try, and couldn't speak highly enough of her husband the chocolatier.  

The Brit hand picked some chocolate covered cordial cherries for his Mum while I hand picked all the yummies I wanted to try.  And try I did...

Le Gascon
L'Eau de Charlotte
Caramel au Cointreau (so good!)
La Pistache (very yummy if you like pistachio)
L'Aboukir (a personal favorite)
Le Grand Marnier (I did not try this, as it belonged to The Brit)
Armagnac (mmmm, alcohol and chocolate!)
And there were more, but which ones specifically I couldn't remember, even with pictures.  It was all lovely.  

They do deliver, so even if you can't make it into the shop, I recommend getting online and getting some for yourself or an exceptional gift.

Just an hour or so above the French-Spanish border is the lovely town of Saint Jean de Luz.  I can imagine it's fantastic during the summer, but even on a rain soaked winter day, we spotted surfers just off the coast.  We meandered the streets, reviewing each menu with my heart set on Paella.  When you're this close to the border and in the Basque region, you definitely don't want pizza.  Step down into La Vielle Auberge where you'll be greeted in either French, Spanish or English - a menu for each language.  (I was pleased that English was the last assumed language for us!) Our server didn't speak much English, but we all worked well together.  She seemed to try to steer us away from the Paella, stressing that it would take 20 or more minutes, but we weren't swayed.  In a lot less time than anticipated we were facing a large plate of Paella filled with chicken, sea food and large shrimp.  I was disappointed not to see any chorizo, but the chicken was very tasty and made the dish.  It was the most flavorful chicken ever! We enjoyed the house wine - he the red and I the white and found it enjoyable enough for the meal.  The atmosphere is casual and family oriented.  I wouldn't recommend relying on the English menu to be an exact translation of what's on the menu, but it's close enough.  The price was reasonable, and the servers - a girl and a guy - both cute and friendly.  The location is close to the main walkway by the sea and on a side street full of plenty of places to eat, but this one was the one that was full on that rainy, cold, winter day and we enjoyed it.

Southern France offers little in the Winter months, particularly around the holidays, so finding an open restaurant is a lucky moment indeed.  The Brit and I went on a recommendation from The Brit elders, though they had yet to dine there.  We were desperate for a night out and willing to take whatever we got in this little, abandoned region.

Being dark and desolate, it was wise to follow the recommendation to look for the fairly lights, though it wasn't too difficult to spot.  The restaurant is situated right next to a lake, which I imagine is lovely during the day.  Probably a lot better view than the continuous flow of smokers who stood sucking their cancer sticks outside our windows.  

Reservations are recommended, just to be on the safe side, and can be made if you're lucky enough to find the spot open - according to The Brit's parents.  We arrived for an 8:30pm sitting, but saw quite a few groups come for even later sittings as the night wore on.  There was no one to greet us when we arrived, which we quickly found out was because there was only one woman tending to every table.  She did a fantastic job though, and you would be quick to forgive any slowness with how many tables she was serving.  Our seat was drafty, and while I wanted a table closer to the fire, it's not often that a table of two will be given a table for four in places such as these (or really fancy places here at home for that matter), so we took it and later it didn't matter as the fire slowly died.

Between my one French class and The Brit's many, we did our best to navigate the menu and communicate with our server.  It was quite funny when the best way she could explain a dish was to say "the baby of a sheep." I opted for the foie gras ravioli, which was originally a starter, but the server said would be fine as a main dish and The Brit had a steak with frites.  The sauce for my ravioli seemed to be the same mushroom sauce that he was given for his fries, and it was yummy.  We had salads to start... mine with goat cheese I think, but I can't recall exactly.  The foie gras ravioli was nothing like anything I'd ever eaten.  When in this area, of course you want to eat anything and everything foie gras! It was rich and the pasta , thin and delicate.  While a tad salty, I couldn't say it was much of a bother.  For dessert I had a fantastic creme brulee and The Brit a warm and gooey lava cake.  We completely over indulged, but enjoyed every minute of it.  Even polished off a bottle of wine with it all, but that's not uncommon for us, is it?

The final total, with conversion brought the meal to $125, which I think was around $99 euros.  Typical for dining out fancy here at home, and very much worth it.  The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic, but also a great place to celebrate, much like the table next to use celebrating a Birthday.  If you find yourself here, go, whether you have a date, a Birthday or Anniversary to celebrate, or just for a fantastic meal.

Sure, for $34 we got a TON of food that could feed a small army, but when it was a terrible as this I wouldn't give it to my worst enemy.  

I have never been a huge fan of Chinese, but I gave this choice up for the night to The Brit, having little faith in the options available in the LBC.  I read the reviews on this place, and knew full well going in what was likely to happen, but I couldn't bear saying "no" to the Brit.  Next time I will.

We ordered the following: vegetarian friend rice, vegetarian chow mein, sweet and sour pork, beef broccoli and vegetarian egg rolls.

The egg rolls were fat and EXTREMELY oily with nothing but cabbage inside.  Wait, I just realized, don't egg rolls typically have glass noodles in them? There were none, and as I said, nothing but cabbage.  The fried rice was dull, had no flavor, and had little vegetables apart from cabbage and broccoli.  Not even more than a sliver of carrot, and that's one of the cheaper vegetables.  The chow mien, just as boring and soft. Most sweet and sour pork has pineapple in it, not here.  It had really nothing to it, but I didn't try it because it's a dish I don't like.  The beef broccoli was dull and soft.  Not the best meat, that's for sure.

And then there's the fortune cookies.  Stale and lame.  :( Boo.

Learning lessons: 1) Say no when necessary, 2) Heed warnings from other reviewers, and 3) Never eat here again.

The red flag should have been when our server asked us if we knew what "tapas" were.  If that's the starter question, I'm obviously in a place people aren't familiar with and sometimes I forget to look at where I am geographically and the type of food I'm eating.  I learned the first of these lessons in Colorado when I realized it's not the place for seafood, and with Oklahoma's not the place for tapas.  Perhaps I'm a tiny bit of a food snob, and what I'm about to say might seem bitchy, but if someone rated this place highly, I certainly wouldn't let them choose my next night out for a meal.  It's obvious they haven't experienced much in the way of good food.

But I'm not reviewing the reviewers am I? Back to the task at hand...

Service: meh.  We were not promptly greeted despite being the only ones standing in front of the hostess counter while three staff chit chatted and acted as if we didn't exist. We were finally seated, but had to ask to move tables since ours was not in a good location.  We then had a different server, only a table away from the other one, so it took even longer to get someone to come to us.  When she did, and her name was Sara, she was friendly - in an awkward way.  We later saw the other servers be far more friendly and significantly more informative about specials for the evening, as well as provide better descriptions of the food.

We started by ordering wine only to find that the one we wanted wasn't available and our server wouldn't offer an equivalent, yet higher priced, for the same cost (tip: a good restaurant will do this).  F
or whatever reason, our server went outside, to the place next door to get our wine.  

Atmosphere: OK. I wouldn't call it "romantic", but it could be a decent date spot if the food were worthwhile.  There is seating outside, which when the weather is nice I would enjoy, except that you've got the traffic of pedestrians between you and the restaurant.  

Food: Not impressive and not good.  

Braised Crimini Mushrooms: Quite salty and best suited as a topping on a steak, not as a "dish".  It was not typical of a tapas style mushroom dish where the mushrooms are served whole and not cut in tiny pieces.

Patatas Bravas: Extremely hot, burning your mouth.  Some may like it hot.  The sauce  was far saucier than I'm used to when I've had tapas - including tapas in Spain.

Sweet Dates: meh.  Nothing much to speak of really.

Rock Shrimp Manchego Gratin: It was OK, but there's a problem with calling this "Gratin" and the Brit took to educating our server about what Gratin really is.  I think in the end we concluded that there is a slight difference culturally on a Gratin dish, and while I sort of liked this dish, It's weird to have a melted manchego sauce when it's a hard cheese.  It's not how it's typically served.  The shrimp is also frozen as it's apparently not easy to get fresh fish in Oklahoma... this is typical of most restaurants in most places though.

Grilled Lamb w/Date Red: This was the best thing, which says a lot coming from me since I am not fan of lamb.  It was very tender and really tasty.  The Brit agreed and went so far as to say it was the item he liked most.  We both felt that if they prepared more of their dishes like this one, it would be a far better restaurant.

We asked for bread for the table, which wasn't good and was served with cold pats of butter and they charged $2.50 for it.  Tacky.

In total we paid $85.06 which included some sort of separate bar tax of $3.24 on the total.  For the cost it was not worth it.  I wish I could recommend an alternative restaurant, but I can't, and, it is after all Oklahoma.

Naples Fitness is so awesome that I lost a pound just walking in the door.  Seriously, they're THAT good.  ;) To be fair and give an honest assessment, I must share that I do know the owner Dave, but that does not mean my review is slanted as a result.  I have had personal training before, both in a gym and independently.  The NF studio rates top notch in my book.  The clean and spacious environment affords great equipment and a welcoming atmosphere.  Want to watch TV? Done.  Want good music to pump iron too? Done. Need a locker for your valuables? Done.  And how about the nicest bathroom I've ever seen in a fitness studio? Done, yet again.

Dave is a great person and fantastic personal trainer.  He is super friendly and wants to tune into you completely for the best workout.  Dave is there to motivate you, ignore your excuses, get you pumped and make sure you do it all effectively and safely.  While I don't know the other trainers individually, when I met them at the Seal Beach 5/10k, they were all super friendly and highly supportive of all the event participants running on behalf of Naples Fitness.  

A core reason I like NF is their involvement and support for community events while also supporting health and fitness.  Whether it's in getting a group to do a community run, take donations for the Ronald McDonald house, or give away free beach boot camp classes in exchange for food, NF and their staff are never too busy to do great things on a local level.  I love my city, and so does Naples Fitness.

So, what you really want to know about is the workout, right? Each exercise and workout is tailored specifically to you, your ability, your initial fitness level and your goals.  The workouts structured for me have been great, some familiar to me and some new, and completely doable both in and outside the fitness studio.  The hardest, and while I hesitate to admit it, but also the best part of the time I worked with Dave was when he worked on my hamstrings and tight muscles.  I've never had that done for me, and while it totally caused me to cringe, wince, cry and maybe curse a little, it was the best part of my workout and long over due.  I just might sign up for that torture alone.  

Ultimately, it isn't my review that's going to get you to get off the couch and sign up.  It's going to be your choice, and when you're ready, choose Naples Fitness.

I am so sad to report that the RG has changed ownership and no longer serve those awesome ribs.  :( I am seriously broken hearted.  I just can't believe it.  We did have Thanksgiving dinner there again this year, which was FANTASTIC.  We all kept craving it after long days of hiking.  But when we had breakfast, I found it to be not so good.  Our server said that they cure and smoke all their own meats, but I found the sausage flavorless and the bacon just fat laden and no meat. I had the biscuits and gravy and it was greatly disappointing.  When you spend a year looking forward to a meal it can be immensely disappointing not to get it.  I might be OK with it though if they served Thanksgiving dinner every day.