cindy w.'s Profile

Really friendly and attentive staff that customize your spa experience to your needs. Came in to get knots massaged out of my back and shoulders and the masseur did a great job, paying attention to my problem areas. They also give you a survey beforehand to ask you about stress areas, massage intensity, etc. which is super convenient for return visits.  Also conveniently nearby Olympic Sculpture Park in Belltown. Lobby is super small so I wouldn't advise arriving too early because there's not much of a place to sit.

Lipsmackingly good. It will incite you to ask your dining friends, "You gonna eat that?" and make you want to motorboat your face in that Cajun sauciness on your plate.

I've had family living in the Deep South, dined in New Orleans and this is the closest, most delicious fare that I've had to it in a long time. Run, don't walk, for their Cajun breakfast menu. Biscuits and Gravy were savory goodness. The wait is worth it. Order the beignets (I think they are better than the ones served at Cafe Du Monde in N'awlins). Cheese grits are ZOMG-worthy. Another must-see spot in QA/Seattle dining.

Want to crave an early morning sweet tooth? West Coast Waffles made me a fan. Bring this to Seattle! Great place for a sweet, light breakfast in downtown Victoria. We found this strolling around and ventured in for a early morning breakfast at 9am on a weekday.

So many choices of toppings, syrups, and waffle batter! I chose the sweet nutella, chocolate combo and the original batter with maple syrup. BF went for a plain waffle and maple syrup. The staff were really nice, took the time to explain, and were efficient in making it in front of you. Best part was that this was a decent fast-food sitdown place, booths and tables. The staff delivered it right to us while we picked a table and we weren't expecting that.

Waffle was crisp, not too chewy, and the toppings and syrup was awesomely tasty. Ate the whole plate clean and didn't come away too full or empty. For about $6, its a great option if you're hankering for waffles and a wide variety of sweet or savory options.

Overhyped. Outdated. Overpriced. The Fairmont Empress is a lovely historical hotel in Victoria that is worth a trip but I wouldn't recommend staying here again. It gets 2-stars because of its history and its central picturesque location and the elevators are fast. This is during the off-season.

In terms of pricing and rooming, the Empress is really showing her age and its shocking that for a "luxe" hotel that you're getting rooms that haven't seen a remodeling in ages. No WiFi except in the lobby and there's a charge if you want to use it (tip: just join Fairmont's loyalty program and u can skip that charge).  No daily newspaper unless upon request (Fairmont loyalty program again). The lobby needs more seating for those who need to meet or rest in between outings.

If you're a foodie, you're really going to be disappointed here. The Bengal Lounge's curry buffet was really sub-par. For a weekday, it was a lamb curry, butter chicken, seafood chowder, and creme brulee. Random and offbeat. For $30, I was expecting higher quality cooked items and would've gotten more bang for buck at a local Indian restaurant or even Marriot or Hyatt (which both have decent food offerings). The highly touted Empress afternoon tea? Skip, skip, skip. For $50, you're only going to get "meh" tiny pastries and tea. Service was quite decent.

The Fairmont Empress really needs to step its game up if it wants to be likened to a higher end Ritz or Waldorf. Mind you, you are paying for the historical legacy but really, it looks much nicer on the outside than the inside. Next time, I'd head to a more modern hotel for better amenities for the same price.

Tucked in an unassuming bland strip mall, the Simply Me Day Spa was a nice respite from the holiday suburban hell I found myself in with family.
As a holiday gift, I booked myself for a deep tissue massage, body wax, and pedicure. I arrived a bit early for my appointment and got ushered to their spa 'corner' which was a shadowy den where I could put on a spa robe, put my belongings in a locker, and chill. Sadly no WiFi so I just browsed my iPhone while waiting. I was offered mimosas or cocktails by an attendant but stuck with the cucumber water.

First up: Waxing by Heidi. I think I found my fav place to get treated. Simple Me Day Spa uses the goo-wax that doesn't require paper strips. Effectively faster and more thorough, Heidi was quick, efficient, and nice. What may have taken 25+min only took 15! It didn't hurt as much as I expected! Thrilled to say the least. Definitely would like to come back when I'm at home again.

Second: Massage by Heidi. Pretty relaxing at 50 minutes. I felt pampered from head to toe. She asked about the degree of pressure and I told her, no problem, give me the firmest and she delivered which is beyond what some frou frou spas do. Now, I have some really bad knots and she went over them -- didn't cure them all but then again, my body felt some relief at having someone attempt to chip them away -- when I want miracles, I can wait for my NY Tui Na masseuse.

Third: After redressing, I had to wait half-an-hour for Donna, my pedicurist since I was ahead of schedule due to Heidi's speediness. Unfortanately, there isn't much seating for the nail services area so I was advised to get a bite nearby in the strip mall. So I just walked to the nearby Publix + got a magazine, sat at a nearby cafe's patio bench and waited it out. Donna did a quick, perfunctory pedi and we kept chit chat at a minimum which is how I like it. They had Essie and Opi products here too.

I'd definitely recommend Simply Me Day Spa if you're looking for a nice, calm day spa experience without the full Ritz experience which can be hard to find in West Broward.

Yay! Decent Japanese buffet in which you want to have friends/family come together and stuff their faces on random Japanese/Chinese dishes.
Where else can I get crab rangoon, shrimp tempura, stir fry broccoli and sushi in 1 setting?

I don't eat fish so I can't testify to the sushi but if you're going for Asian buffet, I'd highly recommend taking family/friends to Shinju over East Fusion Buffet. Way nicer, cleaner, and less depressing.

Depending on your priority scale of price and cleanliness, I wouldn't recommend staying at this Extended Stay America in Gainesville. It's convenience right off Archer exit on I-75 leaves it an easy drive to UF but its competing right next door to the HIlton Garden, Marriot Courtyard, Red Robin, Cabot Lodge, etc hotel chains. For $68/night, it was dirt cheap but at the same time, we got greeted by stained bathroom caulking, dingy bath towels, and a $4.99 charge for WiFi.

The hotel front desk people were super nice which is why I'm giving them 2 stars -- they were really polite on checking me in and didn't mind this roadside traveler arriving hours ahead of her reservation before UF's graduation ceremonies. Unfortanately, no rooms were available so instead they comped my wifi...

Location-wise, its right off Archer so nearby are all the chain restaurants, wal-mart/target/best-buy etc. which is super convenient if you're looking for a really cheap place to stay to help your kid move into/out of UF/

Want some stomach-sticking, lip-smacking, no-need-for-chapstick-this-meal-just-greased-me-up -fine Southern style/Cajun breakfast? Great Jones Cafe did me right on the occasions I've come here.

Come here promptly because the small venue gets filled up quick. It's on a quiet, unassuming street but when you walk inside, the servers are nice, the booths/tables are right on top of each other.

I love the fact that this place serves biscuits and gravy or I can choose pancakes or huevos rancheros. Check out the breakfast specials.The portions are pretty satisfying and the prices are decent for brunch in the city especially for the type of cuisine you're going for here which is different from the usual diner options.

Ignore the trendy, air-kiss, and shoulder-rubbing scene around you. Try to get an outdoor table on a spring/summery night and try Pastis's excellent beef dishes. My god. I had the braised beef and it was cooked so soft and tender. Mmm. My friends had no complaints about their steaks. The scalloped potatoes with bechamel sauce is divine.
Service was friendly and attentive.
Highly recommend reservations so you don't have to wait for eternity.

My go-to source of Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches in the East Village when I want a taste of home with a gourmet touch. Baoguette is not a place for a true banh mi sandwich, per se, it's more of a chef's interpretation thus you get the curry banh mi, the catfish banh mi, bbq chicken, and of course, the traditional banh mi. I was a bit skeptical because I didn't see why I should pay $5-$7 for a banh mi sandwich can cost $2 elsewhere. Of course, laziness, a cold day, and my friend's unwillingness to walk far for asian food, prompted us to try Baoguette. I am so glad I did. Curry banh mi sandwich is sooo good!

There's about 4-5 banh mi varieties. They also sell pho and the vietnamese pork chop which my other Viet friend says is surprisingly tasty for a place not in Chinatown (where other Vietnamese restaurants tend to congregate). This place is a popular haunt for NYU kids so the small tables get filled up pretty quick. The place is cash only so come prepared!