Tara P.'s Profile
Date
THE PREFACE:
It's hard for me to give a negative review of King Richard's Faire. Many of my friends work there and do their jobs spectacularly. I know several performers and have nothing but praise for them.
The faire itself, on the other hand...
THE BAD:
Adult tickets are now $26. Children's tickets are $15, and children are defined as 5-11 years of age. I went with my husband, brother, and two nieces, one who is under 11 years old. The cost just to get in the door: $119. That's just to get INTO the faire (and once you're in, everything else costs money).
Note: They only accept cash.
The lines at the entrance are astounding. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid those lines, but they'll hit you with a $2.00 surcharge, which is silly considering you're already spending so much money on the actual tickets.
Food options leave a lot to be desired. Expect fried and greasy. Also, food cannot be purchased with cash. You need to purchase "food tickets", and the food prices never quite match the increment of tickets you can purchase. We always leave King Richard's Faire with food tickets in our pocket; money that is completely wasted.
In recent years, quite a few people have been strolling around the faire grounds in Star Wars attire, anime costumes, etc. It's not a Con, it's a Renaissance event. Seeing Darth Vader or Heath Ledger's Joker strolling around a 16th century village really takes away from the ambiance.
Avoid shopping. The mark-up on everything is astronomical. I've been told by some vendors and employees that the powers that be insist that all vendors for King Richard's Faire sign a contract agreeing that they will ONLY sell their wares at King Richard's Faire (or rather, no other location within a certain radius) for the duration of the faire season. They can't, for example, also set up a booth at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. I would probably mark up my stuff, too.
This year (2010), we noticed several vendor booths and stalls that are completely empty. It's as if some vendors don't even want to bother anymore. And really, I can't blame them.
The jousting is always fun. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a great vantage point, and if you dare put your children on your shoulders while sitting on the grass, KRF staff will let you know (loudly) that you're not allowed to do so.
Smoking is only allowed near the jousting area, so be prepared for clouds of noxious cigarette smoke.
THE GOOD:
It's a Renaissance faire. Ren faires are like pizza; even when they're bad, they're still pretty good.
AND IN CONCLUSION:
I would actually recommend just avoiding King Richard's Faire altogether and driving down to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, which is amazing and so much better. Check out their website. Ticket prices are much more reasonable ($15 for adults, $8 for children). They have a lot of "themed" weekends (many of which benefit charity). It's fun, it's more relaxed, and overall, it's just a better deal.
It's hard for me to give a negative review of King Richard's Faire. Many of my friends work there and do their jobs spectacularly. I know several performers and have nothing but praise for them.
The faire itself, on the other hand...
THE BAD:
Adult tickets are now $26. Children's tickets are $15, and children are defined as 5-11 years of age. I went with my husband, brother, and two nieces, one who is under 11 years old. The cost just to get in the door: $119. That's just to get INTO the faire (and once you're in, everything else costs money).
Note: They only accept cash.
The lines at the entrance are astounding. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid those lines, but they'll hit you with a $2.00 surcharge, which is silly considering you're already spending so much money on the actual tickets.
Food options leave a lot to be desired. Expect fried and greasy. Also, food cannot be purchased with cash. You need to purchase "food tickets", and the food prices never quite match the increment of tickets you can purchase. We always leave King Richard's Faire with food tickets in our pocket; money that is completely wasted.
In recent years, quite a few people have been strolling around the faire grounds in Star Wars attire, anime costumes, etc. It's not a Con, it's a Renaissance event. Seeing Darth Vader or Heath Ledger's Joker strolling around a 16th century village really takes away from the ambiance.
Avoid shopping. The mark-up on everything is astronomical. I've been told by some vendors and employees that the powers that be insist that all vendors for King Richard's Faire sign a contract agreeing that they will ONLY sell their wares at King Richard's Faire (or rather, no other location within a certain radius) for the duration of the faire season. They can't, for example, also set up a booth at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. I would probably mark up my stuff, too.
This year (2010), we noticed several vendor booths and stalls that are completely empty. It's as if some vendors don't even want to bother anymore. And really, I can't blame them.
The jousting is always fun. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a great vantage point, and if you dare put your children on your shoulders while sitting on the grass, KRF staff will let you know (loudly) that you're not allowed to do so.
Smoking is only allowed near the jousting area, so be prepared for clouds of noxious cigarette smoke.
THE GOOD:
It's a Renaissance faire. Ren faires are like pizza; even when they're bad, they're still pretty good.
AND IN CONCLUSION:
I would actually recommend just avoiding King Richard's Faire altogether and driving down to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, which is amazing and so much better. Check out their website. Ticket prices are much more reasonable ($15 for adults, $8 for children). They have a lot of "themed" weekends (many of which benefit charity). It's fun, it's more relaxed, and overall, it's just a better deal.
1055 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-2040
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-2040
University Monument Works
Neighborhood: Inman Square
It's hard to come up with an appropriate rating for University Monument Works.
On the one hand, there is Kendra, a really sweet employee who, albeit a little giggly and ditzy, is very helpful and kind. Choosing a monument for a loved one is never an easy thing to do, but she helped make a difficult, sad, overwhelming process bearable and even a little uplifting.
On the other hand, there's The Owner. Otherwise known as Vinny Giusti. I'm pretty sure he hired Kendra to be the cheerful customer service side of the business, because he's almost too rude to deal with.
I will say this: I received a gorgeous, gorgeous monument in what seemed like record time.
I will also say this: I was told by University Monument that I was restricted to a certain monument size and font style, only to discover that the stone I ordered is now flanked by two stones that are much larger, with varying fonts, and they were also crafted by University. Seems Kendra gave me some wrong information, but that's okay, I guess, because I love the way it turned out.
WHAT I DID NOT LOVE:
The cost for my monument was a little over $4,000. Pricey, but worth it, because I wanted it to be special and unique.
I paid a deposit of 50% during the initial design process. When the stone was finished, I sent another payment which I thought would take care of the balance, or at least the majority of the balance. We had gone above our original quote due to some additional wording additions and design upgrades during the design process.
When I sent that second check, I sent it via Fed Ex, and included a letter praising University. I also asked for a final bill so that I could clear up my balance, which I estimated to be about $200. (Side note: It took about 60+ days for them to cash that check, which was slightly annoying.)
I never received a final bill, and several calls to University left me a little confused. Kendra was never available, and Vinny would always tell me that it was Kendra I needed to speak to about any open balance. I finally stopped by in person, but alas, Kendra was not there. The man who was there (not Vinny) looked up my account and told me that he THOUGHT I had about $300 due, but as he was not able to process payments, I would have to speak to Kendra or Vinny. I left a handwritten note for Kendra asking her to please give me a call, or to just mail or fax me the amount of the final outstanding balance.
At this point, I had paid the VAST majority of a very large balance, so I wasn't overly concerned. But, for good measure, I dropped a check for $250 in the mail later that week, along with yet another note requesting a final balance.
That check was never cashed. Things got busy at work, one thing after another, and before I knew it, six months had passed and I had not heard from University.
UNTIL I GOT THEIR LETTER.
Their letter, typed in all capitals, which bluntly informed me that I had an overdue balance (which turned out to be about $400), and that if it was not paid in full immediately, the stone would be repossessed by University and removed from the cemetery.
I burst into paranoid, terrified tears when I read that letter. I was so upset that my husband immediately went and paid the balance with cash.
And then I got angry. I had asked, so many times, for a final balance. I never received a bill in the mail, never received a phone call, not even an email or a fax. And when I did go in person and attempt to pay, I was turned away because the only person there was not authorized to take a payment. And when I sent a check in anyway, they never cashed it (though they did receive it, according to Fed Ex).
I love the work that University Monument does, and am grateful for their help and their incredible designs. However, the fact that I nagged them for my remaining balance to no avail, only to receive a threatening notice like that, has lost them any future business on my part.
Note: Kendra left me a voice mail apologizing for the confusion, and told me that the stone was never going to be removed. I appreciate that apology, but it doesn't excuse the panic they caused for my family and I due to an oversight on THEIR part.
University Monument does a great job. I encourage you to use them in your time of need. Just make sure you pay your entire balance up front, regardless of their assurances that there's "no rush." And if they tell you they're going to send you the final bill, well, don't wait around for it.
On the one hand, there is Kendra, a really sweet employee who, albeit a little giggly and ditzy, is very helpful and kind. Choosing a monument for a loved one is never an easy thing to do, but she helped make a difficult, sad, overwhelming process bearable and even a little uplifting.
On the other hand, there's The Owner. Otherwise known as Vinny Giusti. I'm pretty sure he hired Kendra to be the cheerful customer service side of the business, because he's almost too rude to deal with.
I will say this: I received a gorgeous, gorgeous monument in what seemed like record time.
I will also say this: I was told by University Monument that I was restricted to a certain monument size and font style, only to discover that the stone I ordered is now flanked by two stones that are much larger, with varying fonts, and they were also crafted by University. Seems Kendra gave me some wrong information, but that's okay, I guess, because I love the way it turned out.
WHAT I DID NOT LOVE:
The cost for my monument was a little over $4,000. Pricey, but worth it, because I wanted it to be special and unique.
I paid a deposit of 50% during the initial design process. When the stone was finished, I sent another payment which I thought would take care of the balance, or at least the majority of the balance. We had gone above our original quote due to some additional wording additions and design upgrades during the design process.
When I sent that second check, I sent it via Fed Ex, and included a letter praising University. I also asked for a final bill so that I could clear up my balance, which I estimated to be about $200. (Side note: It took about 60+ days for them to cash that check, which was slightly annoying.)
I never received a final bill, and several calls to University left me a little confused. Kendra was never available, and Vinny would always tell me that it was Kendra I needed to speak to about any open balance. I finally stopped by in person, but alas, Kendra was not there. The man who was there (not Vinny) looked up my account and told me that he THOUGHT I had about $300 due, but as he was not able to process payments, I would have to speak to Kendra or Vinny. I left a handwritten note for Kendra asking her to please give me a call, or to just mail or fax me the amount of the final outstanding balance.
At this point, I had paid the VAST majority of a very large balance, so I wasn't overly concerned. But, for good measure, I dropped a check for $250 in the mail later that week, along with yet another note requesting a final balance.
That check was never cashed. Things got busy at work, one thing after another, and before I knew it, six months had passed and I had not heard from University.
UNTIL I GOT THEIR LETTER.
Their letter, typed in all capitals, which bluntly informed me that I had an overdue balance (which turned out to be about $400), and that if it was not paid in full immediately, the stone would be repossessed by University and removed from the cemetery.
I burst into paranoid, terrified tears when I read that letter. I was so upset that my husband immediately went and paid the balance with cash.
And then I got angry. I had asked, so many times, for a final balance. I never received a bill in the mail, never received a phone call, not even an email or a fax. And when I did go in person and attempt to pay, I was turned away because the only person there was not authorized to take a payment. And when I sent a check in anyway, they never cashed it (though they did receive it, according to Fed Ex).
I love the work that University Monument does, and am grateful for their help and their incredible designs. However, the fact that I nagged them for my remaining balance to no avail, only to receive a threatening notice like that, has lost them any future business on my part.
Note: Kendra left me a voice mail apologizing for the confusion, and told me that the stone was never going to be removed. I appreciate that apology, but it doesn't excuse the panic they caused for my family and I due to an oversight on THEIR part.
University Monument does a great job. I encourage you to use them in your time of need. Just make sure you pay your entire balance up front, regardless of their assurances that there's "no rush." And if they tell you they're going to send you the final bill, well, don't wait around for it.
The short of it:
Food sucked.
Service sucked.
Half of the menu was not available.
The only thing they did right was give us the check the second we asked for it.
A more detailed breakdown:
My husband and I were having a bad day, one awful customer service experience after another, and decided to have dinner at Spice & Rice because we were starving and had heard nothing but good things about it.
I can't remember who told me all of those good things, but I'm now wondering if I dreamed it.
We were immediately brought to the dining room, but the waitress basically gave us a walking tour of the entire room before she finally seated us at a table. She seemed indecisive and confused about where to seat us, and finally settled on the only table in the room that was not clear and orderly, but instead had menus strewn all over the tabletop.
"You two sit here, this one has the menus already." That is seriously what she said before turning around and disappearing into the kitchen.
(And yes, we were about four inches from the kitchen door. Always awesome when you're the ONLY PEOPLE in the restaurant.)
So there we were, finally seated, and left to sort through the random pile of menus on the table. Our waitress came over and gave us two glasses of water, then asked, "What you want?" We both asked for ginger ale. She returned about 20 minutes later (sans ginger ales) and asked if we were ready to order. My husband had some questions about a few items on the menu, i.e., what certain sauces tasted like, etc. Her response to every single question was either a dismissive shrug or, "I don't know." We were too hungry to bother, so we ordered an appetizer and two entrees, both with sides of brown rice.
P.S. Rice costs extra.
The waitress returned and told us that a) they did not have ginger ale, and in fact never do, so could we please just drink water?; b) neither of our entrees was available; and c) they were out of brown rice. Fine, whatever. Jasmine rice would be fine, and we ordered new two entrees. That took forever, because everything we tried to order was not available. When she finally took our orders to the kitchen, we were both already so annoyed that I think we would have left if we weren't starving.
Our appetizer arrived, and I will say this: It looked pretty. I will also say this: When I order an appetizer, please put it together for me. Do not give me a plate of spring roll ingredients and some chopsticks. I don't want to create my own spring roll. If I have to create my own spring roll, at least make a note of it on the menu. Don't surprise me with a project when I'm hungry.
But then our entrees arrived, and oh joy. Actually, my husband's entree arrived, and my rice arrived. Ten minutes later, his rice arrived, and my entree arrived. The waitress sort of dropped everything on the table and walked away before we could complain about how disgusting and unappealing everything looked. I ordered an entree that was described as grilled, sauteed chicken with vegetables. What I GOT was a platter of chicken that had been deep-fried beyond all reason and recognition. My vegetables? Three slices of cucumber. I'm not even kidding. If I hadn't been in such a bad mood, I would have thought to take a picture. Also, our "jasmine rice" was pretty much just plain white rice. Absolutely no discernible flavor. When I asked the waitress if we'd gotten white rice by mistake, she seriously, totally responded, "That's white rice." I apologized and explained that we had ordered jasmine rice; she answered, "That's jasmine rice. White rice. Same thing."
Um, not really.
So we ended up eating our bland Minute Rice and some of the lettuce from our make-your-own-effing-spring-rolls ingredients. Husband claimed the duck was too dry to be edible, and I'm not entirely convinced there was any actual chicken in my deep-fried hot mess. We were finally so aggravated that we found the waitress and asked for our check.
Our check, which charged us for two ginger ales. You know, the ginger ale that they never carry and could we please drink water instead.
If you want good Thai in the area, go a little further down Cambridge Street to The Similans on First Street.
Food sucked.
Service sucked.
Half of the menu was not available.
The only thing they did right was give us the check the second we asked for it.
A more detailed breakdown:
My husband and I were having a bad day, one awful customer service experience after another, and decided to have dinner at Spice & Rice because we were starving and had heard nothing but good things about it.
I can't remember who told me all of those good things, but I'm now wondering if I dreamed it.
We were immediately brought to the dining room, but the waitress basically gave us a walking tour of the entire room before she finally seated us at a table. She seemed indecisive and confused about where to seat us, and finally settled on the only table in the room that was not clear and orderly, but instead had menus strewn all over the tabletop.
"You two sit here, this one has the menus already." That is seriously what she said before turning around and disappearing into the kitchen.
(And yes, we were about four inches from the kitchen door. Always awesome when you're the ONLY PEOPLE in the restaurant.)
So there we were, finally seated, and left to sort through the random pile of menus on the table. Our waitress came over and gave us two glasses of water, then asked, "What you want?" We both asked for ginger ale. She returned about 20 minutes later (sans ginger ales) and asked if we were ready to order. My husband had some questions about a few items on the menu, i.e., what certain sauces tasted like, etc. Her response to every single question was either a dismissive shrug or, "I don't know." We were too hungry to bother, so we ordered an appetizer and two entrees, both with sides of brown rice.
P.S. Rice costs extra.
The waitress returned and told us that a) they did not have ginger ale, and in fact never do, so could we please just drink water?; b) neither of our entrees was available; and c) they were out of brown rice. Fine, whatever. Jasmine rice would be fine, and we ordered new two entrees. That took forever, because everything we tried to order was not available. When she finally took our orders to the kitchen, we were both already so annoyed that I think we would have left if we weren't starving.
Our appetizer arrived, and I will say this: It looked pretty. I will also say this: When I order an appetizer, please put it together for me. Do not give me a plate of spring roll ingredients and some chopsticks. I don't want to create my own spring roll. If I have to create my own spring roll, at least make a note of it on the menu. Don't surprise me with a project when I'm hungry.
But then our entrees arrived, and oh joy. Actually, my husband's entree arrived, and my rice arrived. Ten minutes later, his rice arrived, and my entree arrived. The waitress sort of dropped everything on the table and walked away before we could complain about how disgusting and unappealing everything looked. I ordered an entree that was described as grilled, sauteed chicken with vegetables. What I GOT was a platter of chicken that had been deep-fried beyond all reason and recognition. My vegetables? Three slices of cucumber. I'm not even kidding. If I hadn't been in such a bad mood, I would have thought to take a picture. Also, our "jasmine rice" was pretty much just plain white rice. Absolutely no discernible flavor. When I asked the waitress if we'd gotten white rice by mistake, she seriously, totally responded, "That's white rice." I apologized and explained that we had ordered jasmine rice; she answered, "That's jasmine rice. White rice. Same thing."
Um, not really.
So we ended up eating our bland Minute Rice and some of the lettuce from our make-your-own-effing-spring-rolls ingredients. Husband claimed the duck was too dry to be edible, and I'm not entirely convinced there was any actual chicken in my deep-fried hot mess. We were finally so aggravated that we found the waitress and asked for our check.
Our check, which charged us for two ginger ales. You know, the ginger ale that they never carry and could we please drink water instead.
If you want good Thai in the area, go a little further down Cambridge Street to The Similans on First Street.
292 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 354-7700
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 354-7700
East Cambridge Savings Bank
Categories:
Banks & Credit Unions,
Mortgage Brokers
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
When I was a little kid, my very first savings account was with East Cambridge Savings Bank. As I got older, I eventually added a checking account, and continued to bank with ECSB for many years. Only when I moved, and the location became inconvenient, did I close my account.
I recently returned to Cambridge and have been to this branch of ECSB three times. All three times, I left unhappy and annoyed, and got nothing accomplished.
In early spring 2010, I went to this branch hoping to open a checking account. I sat in the waiting area for 20 minutes before being asked if I needed assistance. You would think that a bank would be used to hearing the phrase, "I'd like to open a checking account today", but the woman squinted and responded, "I'm sorry, you want to open a new account? I'm not clear on what you're asking."
I repeated myself ("I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT, PLEASE") and was told that I would need to wait for a representative to return from lunch. So I waited. For 45 minutes. At this point, I had been inside the bank for over an hour. I ended up leaving, frustrated and annoyed.
The second and third visits were similar to the first in that I was trying to sign up for a safe deposit box. Both times, I waited for nearly an hour before being told that there was no one available with the proper knowledge to assign new boxes.
Waste of time. Three strikes, they're out.
I recently returned to Cambridge and have been to this branch of ECSB three times. All three times, I left unhappy and annoyed, and got nothing accomplished.
In early spring 2010, I went to this branch hoping to open a checking account. I sat in the waiting area for 20 minutes before being asked if I needed assistance. You would think that a bank would be used to hearing the phrase, "I'd like to open a checking account today", but the woman squinted and responded, "I'm sorry, you want to open a new account? I'm not clear on what you're asking."
I repeated myself ("I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT, PLEASE") and was told that I would need to wait for a representative to return from lunch. So I waited. For 45 minutes. At this point, I had been inside the bank for over an hour. I ended up leaving, frustrated and annoyed.
The second and third visits were similar to the first in that I was trying to sign up for a safe deposit box. Both times, I waited for nearly an hour before being told that there was no one available with the proper knowledge to assign new boxes.
Waste of time. Three strikes, they're out.
800 Boylston St Prudential Ctr
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 424-0158
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 424-0158
Dunkin Donuts
Category:
Donuts
Neighborhood: Back Bay
This Dunkin' Donuts is a HOT MESS. It makes me want to break out in hives. Especially during the morning or afternoon coffee rush. The lines are long (and I mean LONG). They have about 47 employees behind the counter; alas, only three cashiers. Mayhem. Oh, and NO ONE speaks English. Not even a little bit. More mayhem.
Every single morning I ask for a coffee with cream and no sugar. Every single morning I am handed some variation of what I ordered, and every single morning I hand it back.
Just this morning, the woman in line ahead of me was reaching for her iced coffee when the employee dropped it on the counter. The cup opened and the customer was bathed in iced coffee. The employee who dropped the coffee pointed to the napkins and turned to the next customer in line.
Every single morning I ask for a coffee with cream and no sugar. Every single morning I am handed some variation of what I ordered, and every single morning I hand it back.
Just this morning, the woman in line ahead of me was reaching for her iced coffee when the employee dropped it on the counter. The cup opened and the customer was bathed in iced coffee. The employee who dropped the coffee pointed to the napkins and turned to the next customer in line.
43 Gore St
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 876-4189
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 876-4189
Olive Cafe
Categories:
Mediterranean,
Sandwiches
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
I am genuinely surprised by all of the negative reviews. I consider Olive to be one of the better takeout gems in East Cambridge.
The staff is very, very friendly and eager to please, and delivery tends to be pretty quick (25-45 minutes, depending on your location and the time of day). If you go in for takeout, you'll wait about 10-15 minutes, as they cook everything fresh.
Their wraps are good, and pretty big. Their salads are fresh. Their French fries are awesome, and their chicken fingers are cooked with herbs and spices and are the best takeout chicken fingers I've ever tasted (excellent portions, too).
Try their panini grilled sandwiches. Awesome.
I would at least give them a chance; don't judge by some of these harsh reviews. Compared to some of the other local offerings (i.e., Arams #2), Olive Cafe is awesome. I hope they'll stick around for a long time.
The staff is very, very friendly and eager to please, and delivery tends to be pretty quick (25-45 minutes, depending on your location and the time of day). If you go in for takeout, you'll wait about 10-15 minutes, as they cook everything fresh.
Their wraps are good, and pretty big. Their salads are fresh. Their French fries are awesome, and their chicken fingers are cooked with herbs and spices and are the best takeout chicken fingers I've ever tasted (excellent portions, too).
Try their panini grilled sandwiches. Awesome.
I would at least give them a chance; don't judge by some of these harsh reviews. Compared to some of the other local offerings (i.e., Arams #2), Olive Cafe is awesome. I hope they'll stick around for a long time.
180 Dayton St
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-6380
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-6380
Malkin & Sons
Categories:
Contractors,
Building Supplies
Malkin & Sons offers the installation of doors on a sub-contractor basis for The Home Depot.
We recently remodeled our home and needed two new interior doors. Home Depot sent a representative from Malkin & Sons to our house to take measurements and give us an estimate. The quote was more than reasonable, and we were assured that the new doors would be ordered and installed within 10 business days. We happily signed the paperwork and handed over our credit card.
Well, just as payment cleared, we received a phone call from Malkin & Sons informing us that installation would be delayed by an additional 2-3 weeks. This was a dismay, as part of the reason we had opted to use Malkin & Sons was their assurance on a fast turnaround. I particularly did not like that the delay was only announced when our payment cleared.
About three weeks after our initial order, Malkin & Sons showed up with our doors. However, it was raining outside, and as they needed to make adjustments to the doors which involved drills, saws, etc., they left the doors leaning in our front hall and told us they would be back in a week, weather permitting. They insisted they were not able to return any sooner.
On the (new) date of installation, when they were over an hour late, we called the company. We were informed that the installation team had been waiting outside of our house for well over an hour. It turns out they had gone to the wrong address.
When they finally showed up, they discovered that they were missing some necessary hardware. Their solution? They told us to go to Home Depot and pick it up, and that they would return (AGAIN) when we had all of the supplies. We finally, finally said "enough is enough" and demanded that THEY go to Home Depot for their supplies, as we had already covered all of this in our price quote.
They left for Home Depot, begrudgingly, but then phoned to let us know they would once again (surprise, surprise) need to reschedule due to time constraints.
When they finally managed to install the doors (only two interior doors, how hard could this POSSIBLY have been for PEOPLE WHO PROFESSIONALLY INSTALL DOORS?), they managed to completely crack one of the doors when drilling the hole for the doorknob. We painted over the cracks, and I hung a purse over the knob to hide what you can see of the cracks, but it's pretty bad.
What a disaster. AVOID this clusterf**k at all costs.
We recently remodeled our home and needed two new interior doors. Home Depot sent a representative from Malkin & Sons to our house to take measurements and give us an estimate. The quote was more than reasonable, and we were assured that the new doors would be ordered and installed within 10 business days. We happily signed the paperwork and handed over our credit card.
Well, just as payment cleared, we received a phone call from Malkin & Sons informing us that installation would be delayed by an additional 2-3 weeks. This was a dismay, as part of the reason we had opted to use Malkin & Sons was their assurance on a fast turnaround. I particularly did not like that the delay was only announced when our payment cleared.
About three weeks after our initial order, Malkin & Sons showed up with our doors. However, it was raining outside, and as they needed to make adjustments to the doors which involved drills, saws, etc., they left the doors leaning in our front hall and told us they would be back in a week, weather permitting. They insisted they were not able to return any sooner.
On the (new) date of installation, when they were over an hour late, we called the company. We were informed that the installation team had been waiting outside of our house for well over an hour. It turns out they had gone to the wrong address.
When they finally showed up, they discovered that they were missing some necessary hardware. Their solution? They told us to go to Home Depot and pick it up, and that they would return (AGAIN) when we had all of the supplies. We finally, finally said "enough is enough" and demanded that THEY go to Home Depot for their supplies, as we had already covered all of this in our price quote.
They left for Home Depot, begrudgingly, but then phoned to let us know they would once again (surprise, surprise) need to reschedule due to time constraints.
When they finally managed to install the doors (only two interior doors, how hard could this POSSIBLY have been for PEOPLE WHO PROFESSIONALLY INSTALL DOORS?), they managed to completely crack one of the doors when drilling the hole for the doorknob. We painted over the cracks, and I hung a purse over the knob to hide what you can see of the cracks, but it's pretty bad.
What a disaster. AVOID this clusterf**k at all costs.
100 Cambridgeside Pl
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 577-1005
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 577-1005
Sephora
Category:
Cosmetics & Beauty Supply
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
I worship at the altar of Sephora.
But not this one.
The CambridgeSide Sephora is always crowded, the lines are long, and the employees are, for the most part, either too unwilling or too busy to help. Those that do help you often have no idea what they're talking about; I had one literally give me a "deer in headlights" blank stare and then shrug. If you know what you're looking for, great; if you have a question, you're probably out of luck when it comes to a helpful or informed answer.
Some of the most popular products by Laura Mercier, Benefit, Dior, etc., are often out of stock (though if you ask, they will sometimes find them in the back room, instead of on the shelves, where they should be).
More than once, I have left in complete frustration, and empty-handed.
Stick to the one in the Prudential.
But not this one.
The CambridgeSide Sephora is always crowded, the lines are long, and the employees are, for the most part, either too unwilling or too busy to help. Those that do help you often have no idea what they're talking about; I had one literally give me a "deer in headlights" blank stare and then shrug. If you know what you're looking for, great; if you have a question, you're probably out of luck when it comes to a helpful or informed answer.
Some of the most popular products by Laura Mercier, Benefit, Dior, etc., are often out of stock (though if you ask, they will sometimes find them in the back room, instead of on the shelves, where they should be).
More than once, I have left in complete frustration, and empty-handed.
Stick to the one in the Prudential.
561 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 661-3278
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 661-3278
Eastside Bar & Grille
Categories:
American (Traditional),
Italian
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
One of my favorite restaurants of all time, but especially in Cambridge. The atmosphere, food, drinks, and service are all excellent.
Famous for the steak tips, but one of its best-kept secrets is the pesto, which is easily the best I've ever had. They have great appetizers; try the fried shrimp, bruschetta, or the quahogs, which are enormous and always fresh. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes, and the pizza is good, too.
One of the best highlights on the menu: Chocolate Loving Spoon Cake. I don't know a single person who has turned it down (I've tried, trust me, but it's too good to miss).
They also have a pretty good wine and cocktail selection; if you aren't sure what's best, the bartender or owner will always have a great suggestion.
Recommended for lunch, dinner, or just drinks. If there's a game on, you can always catch it on the flat-screens; if not, you can relax to some Frankie and Dean, or find good conversation with other patrons, the bartenders, or the owner, Chris.
Famous for the steak tips, but one of its best-kept secrets is the pesto, which is easily the best I've ever had. They have great appetizers; try the fried shrimp, bruschetta, or the quahogs, which are enormous and always fresh. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes, and the pizza is good, too.
One of the best highlights on the menu: Chocolate Loving Spoon Cake. I don't know a single person who has turned it down (I've tried, trust me, but it's too good to miss).
They also have a pretty good wine and cocktail selection; if you aren't sure what's best, the bartender or owner will always have a great suggestion.
Recommended for lunch, dinner, or just drinks. If there's a game on, you can always catch it on the flat-screens; if not, you can relax to some Frankie and Dean, or find good conversation with other patrons, the bartenders, or the owner, Chris.
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Review votes:
51 Useful, 19 Funny, and 14 Cool
Compliments
Location
Boston, MA
Yelping SinceJune 2009
My HometownCambridge, MA
My Second Favorite WebsiteThis kind of implies that Yelp is my first favorite website.
THE FIRST TIME
Delivery took about an hour and a half. That's a long wait when I was only ordering enough food for two people. When everything arrived, it was a little cold. I'm assuming the driver got lost; not a huge deal. I did have a problem with the food. The chicken tikka masala was sort of lacking in... chicken. It was more like a soup or sauce. The vegetable samosas were very bland, surprisingly so. Possibly the worst samosas I have ever tasted.
THE SECOND TIME
This time, delivery was fast. The food, however, still left so much to be desired. The naan was stiff and tasted stale. Once again, the most bland samosas I have ever ordered. The jalfrazi was so thin, it resembled a broth, and the taste was very weak. The tandoori skewers were terrible; they were very plain, not marinated at all, and very overcooked. That's when I swore I would never order from Aman Place again.
THIRD TIME'S AN EFFING CHARM
I had some company and they really wanted Indian food, and Aman was our only delivery option. I figured it couldn't hurt to give them one last chance.
And okay, I get it, lesson learned.
This is what I ordered:
Two (2) orders of chicken tikka masala (these both come with rice)
One extra order of rice
One 2 liter of Coke
This is what was delivered:
One (1) order of chicken tikka masala with rice
One 2 liter of Fanta orange soda
I'm sure I looked confused when I saw the orange soda, and the delivery driver immediately put on a brilliant smile and announced, in a very thick accent, "Fanta very good, Fanta go with EVERYTHING!"
It was too funny to argue with, so I gave him $25.00 (the total was $21 and change) and came inside to discover that I was missing half the order. I immediately called Aman Place, and I swear to god, this is how the actual conversation went down:
Me: I have two small problems; I'm missing an order of tikka masala, an order of extra rice, and I think we were given orange soda instead of Coke.
Aman Place: Orange soda is Fanta. Fanta go with everything!
Me: I'm... sure it does, but do you have Coke?
Aman Place: No, we have Fanta. Fanta go with everything! Is very delicious.
Me: Okay, well --
(click)
Yes, he hung up after that dazzling defense of the powers of orange soda.
So I called back, and asked about the missing food. The same man answered and responded, "Do you want the rest of your order?" I explained that I had just paid for it, so yes, I would like it, please.
It arrived almost two hours later. Ice cold.
There will not be a fourth mistake. They suck. And orange effing soda does not go with ANYTHING.