Bob "Life's a Blast" S.'s Profile
DateSanta Monica, CA 90403
(310) 829-5443
Fromin's Restaurant
Category:
Delis
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-8889
Valen Dolcé - CLOSED
Categories:
Bakeries,
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Closed Jan 2012
2 Previous Reviews:
-
10/28/2011
The local Starbucks changed their hours (now closes at 8pm) and Valen Dolce' saves the night (open til 10pm).
For all of those who love to support local businesses, here is your chance to put you money where the great tea is. Try the Peach Earl Grey Ice Tea and you will be thanking me - I promise. -
1/25/2011
Friendly, tasty and open late? Are you kidding me?
Here are a few tidbit and little known facts about this sweet find:
Free Wifi, open til 10pm and a welcoming vibe is what you will find at Valen Dolce. Also, the owner mentioned they will add a few more outlets for the laptop totting locals looking for a place to park when the local coffee houses close earlier in the evening. Why not just make this your destination of choice instead?
About the desserts - besides being eye candy, they are lightly flavored and won't weigh you down like the traditional sugar packed "American" bakeries.
Come visit my hood and have something sweet !
Meaning, how many times have you heard, this is a steak house, why are you ordering chicken?
42nd Street Bagel is a Bagel place, so why are you ordering the egg scramble dish thing?
You get the point, don't order that egg dish here, it seriously makes the chicken choice at the steak house look like a genius decision.
Studio City, CA 91604
(310) 266-3213
Conrad Lawrence
Category:
Golf
Neighborhood: Studio City
Conrad is a great golf instructor with reasonable prices. He is patient, experienced and fun to be around. He holds his classes at the Studio City Golf course, which is as low key and unassuming as Conrad.
Truly a great swinging experience and no one is going to get jealous, until of course, you kick some butt on the links.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 450-6496
Lincoln Auto Smog
Category:
Smog Check Stations
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Yep, got one of those notices from the DMV that it was time for my Beast to have its breath checked.
Like a breath of fresh air, Vahik of Lincoln Auto Smog efficiently checked out my Beast and everything was fine. Another test, another pass, another great experience.
See you in a few years.
1 Previous Review:
-
10/15/2009
*************** PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT **************
For my 150th review, I have decided to provide my form of a public service announcement to my fellow Yelpsters who have to get a smog check and don't want pay an arm and a leg for it.
I have been coming to Lincoln Auto Smog for some time now, the first time because of a $5 off coupon in the local flier. They always have been efficient in testing my vehicle, and so far, my beast has passed every time!
Guess what?
You too can get $5 bucks off their already very competitive prices by just saying "Bob" sent you.
Actually, it is probably best to say, "Bob from Yelp" sent you.
Ummm, Just ask for Vahik the Manager and say you saw this review on Yelp and he said he would give each and everyone of you $5 bucks off. This is probably the only way he will remember who I am anyway.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 829-1225
Kondo Motors
Category:
Auto Repair
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
My car was coughing and spitting and I knew it was time for a routine check-up with Dr. Kondo. Usually it takes the good doctor a short time to heal my car ills, but with 208k miles on it, it was time for an overnight stay. As I stressed over what to do, the good doctor handed me two keys to a loaner car and asked me to call him in the morning.
A loaner car, really? What a pleasant surprise.
3 Previous Reviews:
-
1/4/2011
******* MY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - Circa 2011 *******
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I decided to start the new year with an oil change and a general kicking of the tires by the guys at Kondo Motors.
As usual, they treated me like Royalty (they should, I have been going there for years now) and today I asked if they are still offering "Yelpers" the same 15% discount I received in 2010.
Thanks to the Power of Yelp, Cha-Ching, ring in the New Year with more Saving$ ! Not only do they do great work, but they will give you even a better deal than usual. -
4/7/2010
******* MY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT *******
Today I was pleasantly surprised when the guys at Kondo gave me a 15% discount because I am a "Yelper". Tell them you read it here and you want the discount too !
Not only do they do great work, but they will give you even a better deal than usual. -
4/19/2008
I don't know about you, but when I open my hood, I look at the face of the devil and need some sort of intervention to calm my fears.....and I have just the exorcist for you.
The guys at Kondo Motors will cure that little demon in your car and bring calm back to your world. I don't know about you, but car problems rank right up there with root canals for me. Having a local owned and operated, non-dealership (I hate dealerships) honest mechanic in my neighborhood is just what I am looking for. The bonus here is that the Big Blue Bus has a stop close to the shop, so you will not feel stranded or feel you have to give up your first child for a ride. Be confident that you have options to get around while you car is being worked on.
The key for me? They are honest. WHAT? Yes, you heard me right, the reason I keep going back is I feel like I am dealing with a competent mechanic who tells me the truth about my car and its ailments, with a price that is fair.
Before I buy my next car, I will be asking Kondo if they work on that make & model before I buy anything. That is how important a good mechanic is to me. Oh and tell them Bob S sent you and they will treat you as well as they treat me (they would anyway, I just thought I would toss that in).
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 451-2080
Bonjour Nail Salon
Category:
Nail Salons
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Today, I noticed plain paper covering all the windows and a "For Lease" sign at Bonjour Nail's.
Bon voyage Bonjour.
So long and good luck in your future endeavors.
1 Previous Review:
-
12/15/2007 First to Review
Mr. Metrosexual what are you doing here?
Well ever since my petite Japanese significant other is no longer around to walk on my back and massage my feet, what is a Man to do? Right !!
OK, I admit it, from time to time I like to get a pedicure - mostly for the foot massage, especially after a long long weeeeeek at work.
Bonjour is just a bit off the beaten path, you can find this GEM just south of Montana Blvd on 12th street in a one story mini-mall kind of deal. Sure, their suite is not on Montana Blvd itself, don't have massage chairs or a snotty attitude, but if that is not what you are looking for then you have found your place.
From the lime green walls, outdated art work and unrecognizable music in the background, you will find exactly what you are looking for. Attentive, hard working professionals who will provide a great mani for $10 bucks and a pedi for $15. Seriously, in this neighborhood you wonder? Yes, seriously.
So I decided to treat myself again today. Wow, I got the special pedi treatment including a wonderful foot massage and wait, is that a lime finish to cure all my little piggy ills? For all the time I have been here, this has never happened before - what a surprise.
What do I say to that? Clearly, if you have a Gin & Tonic handy, I have a toe or two just for you ! :)
Oh, ask for Nancy - she runs the place and tell her Bob sent you. If you want a great pedi experience ask for Sally - she's my gal, but they all do a great job. P.S. The other Yelper mentioned a free massage, not to sure about that (I thought they charged for the chair back massages) and by the way they do accept credit cards but charge a processing fee.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 384-1304
Fat Fish
Categories:
Seafood,
Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Koreatown
Well, think again: Happy Hour(s) at Fat Fish are:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am - 3:00pm
Thur-Sat: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun - Weds: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
So I happened to "discover" FF during lunch and was happy hour-ed welcomed. As a novice, I picked a random seat and requested a beer. What? Happy Hour and they don't serve any alcohol at all? Bad, very bad.
However, shortly after my beer disappointment, vertigo hit me as I dialed in on those plates circulating the "bar". I can pick any plate for only $2 bucks, which includes Amaebi Sushi (Sweet Shrimp) with the fried head?
Ok, bring me a coke, 'cuz I am going to stay awhile. 8 plates later I was very happy and ate like a Fat Fuk at Fat Fish.
Hint?: Clearly the experienced FF diner sits at the seats where the conveyor belt first enters the bar area, however, if you sit right in front of where the preparers first place the plates on the conveyor belt, you will have first choice of the freshly prepared offerings. Please don't tell anyone ok?
Just because a place is a hole in the wall and is located in a "sketchy" neighborhood, with only native Spanish speaking staff, does not make it authentic or good. Dead flies on the window sill does not mean that they are props for some spaghetti western starring Clint Eastwood. Sometimes the dirty interior with 1950's tables, simply means it is outdated and not cleaned as often as it should be.
Sure, maybe you won't be dining in and are only taking to-go orders, but the food itself isn't that good either. Pause for a moment, do you really think the ingredients at this place are top of the line? My Asada burrito was far too chewy with a bit more fat then my taste prefers.
An overall review of 4.5 stars? Really? Not for me.
Same decent food, same decent service, same hours, but no more old school booths?
Izzy, seriously, whatcha thinking?
1 Previous Review:
-
11/17/2007
Up Late?
Hungry?
Not Feeling well?
Dessert Craving?
Izzy's can satisfy all this and then some. Old school decor, Old school "what do you want" service, but is open 24hrs, 365 days a year. Offers huge sandwiches at big prices which are too much to eat in one sitting, so bring a friend !. For those on a budget, Izzy's also offers dinner specials with all the fixens (go with the half chicken and no stuffing, ask for BBQ sauce on the side). Light bite? I suggest the two eggs and potato pancakes and a scooped out bagel or side salad with a scoop of tuna salad. Oh, and remember the chicken, half rice half noodle bowl of soup when you feel a little under the weather. Oh, a late night desert craving. Pick a yummy dessert from the old school glass carousel. Happy Happy Joy Joy !!
PS. They deliver at certain times too.
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"The Best Things in Life are not Things."
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Santa Monica, CA
Yelping SinceNovember 2007
Find Me InWandering the streets of Santa Monica, minus the paper cup & cardboard of course
My HometownSanta Monica, CA
When I'm Not Yelping...I am looking for deals
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI would never lie to you !
My Second Favorite WebsiteCraig's List
The Last Great Book I Readummm, I struggle with Spanish, so the makes me a bi-illiterate.
My First ConcertThe Boss - Just went to the Cake concert, now that was fun.
My Favorite MoviePulp Fiction & Silence of the Lambs. That is a Good Burger.....Fava Beans
My Last Meal On EarthToro
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I stop in Starbucks nearly every day, my only Vice....well, almost
All three meals I had here, from breakfast to dinner, were average at best. With Izzy's right down the street, I wonder how Fromin's has survived all these years.
Groupon Poopon !