Dorothy Y.'s Profile

Daniel and I came here on a Saturday for the Fleur de Vie teaching clinic, where Tulane Med students volunteer several hours to see patients, supervised by older students and licensed physicians. Daniel had a cold and I was just bored and figured getting a check-up beat watching my fifteenth How I Met Your Mother episode of the day. There was one other patient who was being seen at the time, so I hung out while Daniel was seen.

The office is clean and the staff is efficient. I waited less than ten minutes, reading one of a plentiful stash of magazines. Two med students came to get me and bring me to an exam room for a general check-up. One was a third-year medical student who performed most of the exam, while the first-year student mostly listened and asked questions. It was interesting to hear them talk about the different muscles and nerves and... you know... bones? They were very nice and professional and it was great to see people who obviously don't have much free time take a few hours out of their Saturday to serve the community (apparently, you have to study a lot in medical school. Who knew?!). I mean, I know some of them were required for school but still, any altruism...

After they completed my exam (eyes, ears, blood pressure, blood sugar, listening to my back and heart and stuff), the doctor came in. I had told them about my recent weight loss (35 pounds down, woooooo for me) and the doctor congratulated me and asked about my diet and exercise regimen. It was very encouraging.

Again, as we attended the educational clinic, it was completely free of charge; however, I believe the clinic itself works on a sliding scale. As the first reviewer mentioned, this is a clinic for low-income community members who don't have healthcare. This location is one of several Tulane Medicine sponsored clinics in the area. I believe there is also one for pediatric care and another specifically for geriatric care. I would definitely come back in the future for whatever ails me. Better than driving to the West Bank.

The service is abysmal, the selection miniscule, the clientele depresses me, and the film-development service is non-existent. I'm going to say I firmly stand by the statement that you (the store) should not sell instant cameras if you (the store) can not develop said film for me (the customer) (who asked you nicely and doesn't deserve to be flippantly insulted at 7:15 AM).

On the other hand, sometimes they sell Pringles for $1.

5 stars on every aspect. I first came here on a whim, accompanied by a Metry native who insisted they had amazing gyros and marinara sauce. I'm never one to quibble with multiple expertise (Your restaurant specializes in both Italian and Greek cuisine? What, you sing opera AND can juggle fire? Can't believe I'm meeting a marble-sculptor who tightrope walks!) and was pleasantly surprised to discover this tiny gem, tucked away in a forgettable strip mall, was almost literally across the street from the gym. This has, however, been the downfall of many a well-meant work-out session.

The restaurant is small and unassuming with about ten tables. The walls are adorned with blown-up tourism posters for Greece, a fully stocked bar sits in front of the kitchen, and an updated daily whiteboard advertises a nightly 4-course dinner (Caesar salad, choice of soup, entree, and bread pudding)... for $17.95.

Oh yes. Acropolis is extremely affordable, loads on the portions, and tasty as can be. I am a loyalist to the gyro platter (a dinner and tomorrow's lunch serving of flavorful and juicy lamb) loaded on a platter with steak fries, pita bread, and served with Caesar salad (which tends to be heavy on the Parm but I guess this is America and we expect it). I have also tasted and loved the lasagna (sweet, spicy, and savory, the 3 tenets of my future country's Constitution), moussaka (delicately layered potato, lamb, and eggplant), and chicken Acropolis (angelhair pasta served with chicken breast, eggplant, spinach, and the aforementioned abrosiac marinara).

They also provide takeout service, as evidenced by the throng coming in for phoned-in orders. It seems like business is good but it could be better. Do yourself a favor next time you're in the hood ("You know, Metairie.... it's where the Target is") and stop by for lunch or dinner. You'll regret nothing.

On various drunken nights at Red Eye and/or Republic, I had stumbled by Beauty Lounge's red sign and never given it a second thought, until various Asian American New Orleans friends recommended it to me. Like, literally; I put out a query mentioning that I needed my super thick, straight, limp, uncut-for-a-year hair to be styled and layered and three people gave me the same recommendation: Phuong at Beauty Lounge. So I made an appointment and I'm now a loyalist.

The first time I came here, I parked and paid on the street, without knowing that there is complimentary valet. Only that one time, though! The salon is upstairs, you walk through the door, up leopard-print carpet, and into a clean, bright, interior space. Rustic beams and a gold and turquoise wallpaper accent the space.

I can say with honesty that I have never been as satisfied with my haircuts as I have been with Pee's. The first time I came, he spent time asking me about my hair, how much length I wanted to keep, and was very understanding about the way I needed my hair layered and lightened due to its thickness, unlike many experiences I've had with people who do not understand the volume of my particular Asian hair. Phuong is quick, professional, and a good conversationalist. Since then, I have come every few months and have have been extremely happy with the outcome every time.

Last time, I was complaining that my hair was boring but I didn't want to damage it with coloring, so Pee suggested a feather extension. I was hesitant because, to be honest, there are 3rd grade students at my work with cheesy neon yellow feathers and I felt silly. The feathers he had, however, were some of the coolest yet subtle looking I've ever seen, and not only that, they were only $30 each. There are places on Metairie Road and Magazine Street that charge up to $75!

The pricing is excellent, the service and product wonderful. Even when I visited California, I waited to come back to New Orleans to get my hair did. And if that's not a great rec, I don't know what is.

Definitely a meh. They have what you need, unless what you need is knowledgeable and pleasant customer service. My friends describe this as the most ghetto Winn Dixie ever. Unfortunately, it's the only one in the entire New Orleans area. They might not always be fully stocked in produce but by George, a full one-fourth of the store is dedicated to alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, liquor, etc) and will always be fully stocked. Not that I'm complaining about it. There are usually long lines because, again, this is the ONLY SUPERMARKET in the East. I come here if I need an ingredient or don't feel like driving far only because I have to but lemme tell you, if they build a Rouses sometime in the far future, my allegiance will shift quickly.

This LA Fitness is super clean. Employees are constantly walking around, picking up equipment and trash, even wiping down the windows and doors to the different rooms. Although it does get crowded in the early evenings, it is large enough and there's enough equipment that it doesn't interfere with my workout schedule. I prefer to come in the morning or early afternoon and be surrounded by elderly Asian women. I love that parking is hella easy and all the classes I've attended are taught by hilarious instructors. They also have childcare all morning and in the evening so it's easy for parents to work out.

I came in recently, without an appointment, to get my ears stretched after a year of wearing the same gauges. I wanted to go one size up and James working the counter cheerfully brought out every style I was interested in. After I picked a pair, Didier brought me to the back to stretch.

Here is where, for the first time in 5 years, I did NOT have a clean stretch. When the gauge was going in, my ear split and cut, with blood streaming down. Didier quickly put pressure on it with saline solution and gauze, then, when the injury was under control, went out and found an in-between size for me to stretch with until my ears were in better shape. The in-between stretch didn't hurt at all, and he explained every step all the way. He was so quick and knowledgeable about how to keep my ears clean and free from infection and yet reassure me about the safety of the entire process.

Jewelry selection, cleanliness, customer service, and piercing services all earn a full 5 stars. I am so grateful for Didier's quick and calm response to something that could potentially have been very dangerous for me.

Booo! I'm taking away 2 stars!!!!! 1 star for the realization that $40 for 5 items is EXORBITANT, especially with the discovery of the $1.25 dry cleaning in Algiers. What!!! Ugh I know some people are selfish with their deals but c'monnnn couldn't that have been reviewed earlier??? I will, once I go.

Second star taken for oxidizing and ruining one of the jet buttons on my 1940s driving coat, as well as a little tear on the buttonhole. Fail! I thought they would be taking care of my things, especially vintage things, for such a high price. Guess $$$ really doesn't reflect quality of service at all.

I'm a sucka, now you don't have to be.

Teachers and parents of small children don't have too many options for educational supplies in SE LA. Either you order in bulk to save money from online catalogues, or you cull from garage sales and the measly single aisles of "Teacher" goods at Barnes&Nobles or the Dollar Tree.

Thank goodness for the Educator, which I say with trepidation. Tucked behind the Toys R Us on Vets, fittingly, this is the original location, I believe (there's another in Gretna on the West Bank), and it feels much larger than the other, possibly because of the second looming story stacked with child size colorful plastic chairs. They have everything you need, except for when you want it. Calendar squares, glitter, tissue paper (and other crafty things); educational games, books, and posters; some plastic manipulatives, and expensive ABC rugs (those suckas are like $500 f'real!)

My biggest complaint is that they are always out of what you need right when you go for it! Examples include: foamy holiday shapes stickers (apparently they don't carry them at all anymore; a gripe that only my fellow Early Childhood Educators will share, in amazement), Kindergarten math sheets (I ended up purchasing a book from Barnes and Noble), and non-Carson Dellosa posters. Carson-Dellosa is that company that makes the posters and characters and worksheets you remember from your elementary school days (oval headed kids with long oval eyes), and they have a ridiculous monopoly over all aspects of educational material. Maybe I just want a regular poster, okay? Maybe I don't need a pencil with eyes!!! Or an apple with eyes!!!

They also don't take credit card for purchases under $15, which seems needlessly specific.

In any other city I would give this place a 2-star; however, I honestly haven't experienced better in New Orleans. Rest assured, however, that if a Lakeshore opens, my allegiance to them has already been won.

The airconditioning in this Baskin-Robbins is exceptionally high. I came by with friends and, though warm out, the weather definitely did not warrant a 50 degree temperature. It seems like Baskin Robbins is trying to keep up with local New Orleans ice creameries. They have a Creole Cream Cheese flavor as well as many others I've never seen before at locations elsewhere.

Yet is it just me or does the ice cream just taste....  stale? It's not even that it was that icy, but while eating my Jamoca cake cone, I had the feeling that this ice cream was made miles away by a machine, then boxed, re-frozen, and shipped. If anything, it's watery ice cream, in some ways less appetizing than from a tub in my freezer. If someone else is buying, I'm not necessarily complaining; if left to my own devices, I'd hike elsewhere and sample a better tasting and product.

They do fundraisers with local schools and charities; while eating, I noticed they were teaming up with the fire department to raise money and were also hosting a blood mobile location. They also participate in Tuesday (I think) night $1 scoops. I figure it something is going on here, it's as good a reason as any to eat ice cream, but  only if you're already in the neighborhood.