Andrew "more tv" Y.'s Profile

On behalf of Steve H.

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It is always said there are 4 C's when one is looking at purchasing a diamond.  In terms of selling diamonds and jewelry, I feel that Neil Dahl Jewelers treats its customers with 4 C's of its own to the most superior degree: customer service, class, care, and cost.  

Back in June, I made an appointment to meet with Neil to look for an engagement ring after seeing so many positive yelp reviews of his store.  On my first visit, I brought my girlfriend's (now fiancée's) sister to the store and we met with Neil, Athena, and Neil's mom, Gogi.  I had already gone on my own to several other jewelry stores in SF and in the South Bay, and immediately I noticed how nice and friendly Neil, Athena, and Gogi were to us as customers and how nice their store looked.  Many stores I had been to previously felt like a used car sale upon meeting the salesman the first time, but not with Neil, Athena, and Gogi.  They offered both of us water, coffee, and pastries and were most interested first in getting to know us as people rather than make us feel any pressure that we had to buy from them right away or at all.  After some nice conversation, Neil asked what brought us into his store and how he could help us.  I explained to them that I was looking for an engagement ring and although I had experience looking at diamonds, my fiancee's sister didn't but would like to learn so she could help me pick out the perfect diamond for my fiancée.  I was amazed at how great Neil was, as for a good hour, he sat my fiancee's sister down and taught her about how to look at diamonds and brought a great range of examples to look at.  

When we started to look at engagement ring styles and diamonds, I was amazed at the class of Neil's selection.  He had so many great ring designs in his store, and I appreciated how all he showed us was GIA certified stones.  Most other stores I had been to in SF would only show me EGL stones, and they pailed in comparison to the class of stones Neil showed us.  Not only did Neil show us the stones, but he always would show us the attached GIA certificate as well.  A lot of other stores wouldn't bother showing the certificate, and if you could not find any inclusions/defects in the diamond yourself, they will not tell you where they are.  

Over the next 2 months, we made several visits to the store trying to look for the perfect diamond (my fiancee's sister and I were very picky about our diamond choice), and through these visits, I appreciated how much Neil cared.  He would often come in early or stay late to meet with us, or even meet us on Sunday on his own time.  Even though we kept on looking and looking at stones, Neil never pressured us into buying with him and would always give an objective opinion as to what he thought about each stone given our ring design.  

Once we found the perfect stone, I was also very appreciative of Neil's competitive price.  He explained to me that he isn't out just to make a sale, but wants to build a relationship with everyone he meets.  I really appreciated that attitude towards his business.  He made the entire process of finding an engagement ring so enjoyable.  My fiancée has told me everyday that she loves her perfect ring.  I know in the future if I or my friends are looking for jewelry, I will definitely be going back to Neil or recommending my friends to stop by (especially my fiancee's sister's future husband).  Thanks Neil, Gogi, and Athena!

All you can eat lunch buffet ($7). Can you go wrong? You can't go wrong. There were about 6 pizzas out at one time. Great selection, a little greasy, but hot and fresh. There's plenty of seating and the ceiling is really high so you don't feel like you're invading anyone else's space while you're pigging out. I think I had 10 slices. It had been a while since my last pizza binge. Totally worth it. The parking situation is a little suspect, but you'll find something eventually. Also, don't get side tracked by Genova Salami...I'm sure that place is great. I want to go, but keep your eye on the prize. All you can eat pizza. Greatest innovation since putting cheese on everything.

Opens at 5PM on Sunday. We went here for dinner on Sunday at 5PM. The menu was pretty typical. I had the chicken pho ($7.50) for my entree and split imperial rolls (don't remember the price) for the appetizer. It was all really good. I'm really full. The quantity was on par with a large from Pho Hoa, but this tasted way way more fresh. I was not disappointed with any of the food. The pho was also a little spicier than what I've had at other places. So note to self next time, try the pho before adding rooster sauce. Yes, I was sweating a ton after eating.

They have a wine list and the prices are pretty reasonable.

Worth it to try.

went here today with Roger C. and we decided to drop in for a tasting. The winery is located at the top of a mountain (I think) and has a view that faces downtown San Jose. It's pretty spectacular. Walking towards the tasting room we had no idea that it would be so full! There were maybe 30 people inside. We went up to the bar and got the low down. I think today was a special day because there were a few different tasting flight options. The first choice was the 4 reserve wines ($10). Or getting the 4 reserve wines plus and 2 estate wines ($18). Or the chocolate tasting and 4 reserve wines with souvenir glass ($15). But for all of these options, if you buy a bottle, your tasting fee is waived. If you chose, you could purchase a cheese pack ($12), but there were free assorted crackers available in the tasting room. Of note, our pourer Jesse (sp) was knowlegable, energetic and friendly.

Outside, the winery is pretty large complete with the outdoor amphitheatre. There is a lot of seating and there are concerts constantly happening.

I wonder how much it is to have a wedding here, coincidentally, there as a wedding reception happening upstairs. Of course, if I have to ask, it's already too expensive.

Anyway, it's a really nice winery and we'll definitely come back with the ladies.

Okay, so I thought I was going to be updating but instead, here it is. Anyway, I've been to this place before and it wasn't that good that time. This time, more of the same with a dramatic story!

Do tell, do tell!

First of all, the lunch buffet was $3.99 for us. Can't argue with the price. So first things, we lined up to get the salad. The food was a little thin and the line was moving a little slow. When we looked up, there was no one at the cashier stand! Two stands, no workers. Not that promising. Then when we got closer to the front of the line, we saw that some people had already bailed and left their trays on the counter. It was pretty crazy that things had gotten out of control. Granted today was a holiday for a lot of people, but a buffet is a buffet. Keep the food topped up and take the money from the people.

So we're near the front of the line and this girl comes barreling towards me and knocks over some trays that were on a ledge then into me except I was holding my tray. Anyway, she then picked herself up but then continued to fall into the wall head first. It was clear that she blacked out.

Strange, but okay. Then coming up to the cash, the lady that was at the cash looked stressed out. And then out of nowhere, she broke, started tearing up and walked away...still hungry, not mad, but sad.

After sitting down, we started eating our food and no one was impressed. The salad, blah. The food, no good. I ate it anyway because I was so so hungry.

After eating my plates of salad, I went to get some chicken pozole. It was pretty good. If could have had more, I would have. Anyway, went to look for other food, no pizza anywhere to be found. Then the soft serve ice cream, no handles! All in all, this was a disaster and it took the entire lunch time. What a waste.

So if you have choices of all you can eat salad places, go to Sweet Tomato.

Note: Nothing against the workers of this location on this day, except for the manager. You blew it today. You may have been short, but you panicked and everyone knew it.

Went here last night for the first time and am definitely going back. Is it yummy you ask? OF COURSE! It's hot, it's spicy, it's greasy, all the ingredients of a great meal. The carnitas was crispy and delicious. The carnitas was probably my favourite with asada a close second. Also tried the al pastor, not too shabby. I enjoyed everything I ate. The horchata was a little sweet for me, but I don't usually eat things that are sweet.

Anyway, it wouldn't be the worst thing for you try this place. Food is great, service is with a smile and have a wide variety to choose from. Definitely you should go.

Did I already eat 5 tacos? Yes. Did I have to eat the biggest burrito I possibly could have at the next place we went? Probably not. The Super Famoso Burrito is as long as a forearm. It was a tough battle, but I managed to get the better of the burrito...or did I? We started eating around 9:00PM. Really not a good idea, but on this night, I would not be denied. Id say for the price ($10.35), this burrito was a good deal, and a spectacular deal if you were feeding 2. Everything in the burrito tasted really good. I had carne asada and rice, that's pretty much it (with sour cream and cheese). The sauce was really good too. My only complaint about the burrito is that I wish it was warmer when it came out in the hope that it would still be warm when I go towards the end. Other than that, no complaints.

So later in the night, I was so full that I woke up at 3AM and couldn't sleep because I was still trying to digest all the food. So yes, I may have won, but I lost in the end.

Of note, Puff N Stuff is across the street and the Hells Angels of Oakland are too.

There is plenty of street parking and possibly a lot too.

And don't forget, smile, you're on camera!

Great menu. Very nice staff. I think we had one of everything. We had the:
Aushak, Kaddo, Qabelee, Kourma Challow, Theeka Kabab and some other things. What to say, it was all pretty amazing and tasted really good.

It's right on Van Ness, should be enough parking.

(sorry, crappy review)

Open really late. use a card system. pretty good prices. it's in a high traffic area paired with the late hours, you'll get some interesting characters showing up.

Not much else to report.

The fanciest looking place you will ever go for dim sum. It was pretty standard, but it was swanky! The food was just the same as if you were in SF, LA, or Canada. I guess there isn't too much to choose from in Seattle when it comes to dim sum. Parking is free in the building. Prices weren't too bad. We were a group of 6 and it was about $12 a person (I think).