Michelle V.'s Profile

On a cold Chicago day, there was nothing better than standing under Garrett's heating vent, munching on a warm, fresh bag of Chicago Mix. There was a constant stream of locals & tourists filing through the tiny store that weekday afternoon, but the line moved quickly. I'd had mail-order Garrett's at work once, but I now understand what all the fuss is about.

We've all tried those giant variety cans of flavored popcorn that your coworkers bought from their kid's fundraiser and leave out on the kitchenette counter. But don't mistake Garrett's as just another flavored popcorn. Garrett's is in a class of its own. The flavor coatings aren't thin and powdery, they're thick, buttery and packed with flavor. I get the feeling their popcorn doesn't go stale as quickly as others, but it's never lasted long enough to test that theory.

It's worth a stop. Just make your decision quick and don't hold up the line, because those Chicagoans behind you need their Garrett's fix and they need it now! The only reason I didn't give it a 5-star is because I've only been to the actual store once. But someday, soon. . .

Dolce Delights is yet another in the vein of expensive desserts that appeal with their looks, but tend toward implied rather than true flavor. But in comparison with another of its ilk, Jungle Patisserie, I'd have to say I prefer (using the word prefer lightly) Jungle. I understand Dolce wants to add gelatin or some kind of stabilizer to the mousse in order for it to hold its pretty pretty shape, but it made the consistency too jello-rubbery for me.

The workers were perfectly nice, I don't have anything bad to say about the customer service. The store itself was cute and clean. Our large group ordered many types of cakes and nearly all of them were as underwhelmed by the offerings as I. So, you know, if you're looking for somewhere to go with that girlfriend who doesn't enjoy eating dessert because she's worried about her figure, she'll probably love this place. But if you're looking for a rich dessert splurge, this ain't it. At $7+ a piece, it's definitely a splurge on the price. I was expecting so much more. Please do yourself a favor and buy something from Fluff Bake Bar for half the price.

A pâtissière, or even someone who has basic knowledge of using Google, would know that pâte à choux is a type of puff pastry (the bready part of an éclair). Pâté is meat and fat minced into a spreadable paste! If you're using pseudo-Frenchiness as a major marketing tool, at least have the decency to spell things correctly. The multitude of misspelled "pâté choux" signs everywhere! If this was one auto-correct error in a text message, ok, but it's on the flyers, the chalkboard menu, I think it's even on the website.
Now if they were actually serving a puff pastry filled with pâté, I might be intrigued. This was not the case.

Well now it makes sense after reading her website, her degree was originally in fashion merchandising and she was striving to create "lighter" desserts. That explains the all-looks-no-substance desserts with overly-gelatinous mousses. I would think you'd have to add more stabilizer, or something that isn't normally put in mousse, to make up for a lack of fat to hold the shape. But really, without having the full nutritional information how would we know if these desserts are actually healthier? And if I wanted to eat healthy, I would go into my fridge for some nonfat Greek yogurt. I'm not looking to pay $7 for cake that *feels* healthy. I would much rather get something from Fluff Bake Bar, spend half as much, and know that I'm getting REAL chocolate, real butter, real sugar and cream that is going to satisfy what I look for in a dessert. Otherwise, what is the point? Show owner comment »

I have been getting my hair cut by David, the owner, for more than 10 years. His hairstyles have taken me from my early post-college days all the way to married life in another STATE and I continue to get compliments on his work.
I went through a crazy time a couple of years ago, lost my job, moved to another state and got married. He helped me out when I came back to LA (still unemployed) for my wedding by giving me a deal on haircuts for me, my groom, and a maid of honor. I wish I could come more often, but scheduling during my brief trips home can be difficult.
And even better, they're 5 minutes from Donut Man, one of my favorite food spots. I used to be on the fence about the drive to Glendora, but considering I'm obviously willing to come here despite a 4-hour flight...that complaint is not really valid anymore.

Java Pura's coffee is fantastic. This location, however, is not so convenient. It's inside the second floor of an academic building - the easiest way to reach the coffeehouse is to take the outdoor staircase off to the right of the main entrance, but that's only if those outer doors are unlocked. If I worked walking distance in the Med Center, I would probably be here a few times a week. Although it is in a Rice building, it's across the street, at least a 15 minute walk away from anything on campus and the parking garage costs $1 every 12 minutes. I truly wish Java Pura could find a home in the center of campus, inside the gorgeous Brochstein Pavilion for example. However I doubt its current tenants will ever leave.

For now unfortunately, I'll have to pine away until the next time that work brings me into the BRC. Hopefully med center employees will keep it alive in the meantime.

I came here for happy hour with a large group. My first impression was one of confusion. I was completely perplexed by all the different printed menus: a food menu on paper, one or two alcohol menus bound in different-sized books, a bar bites menu listing food and drinks on a wooden clipboard, and all of them listing different items of varying sizes. Thank goodness I didn't ask for the dessert menu (or menus?). They really need to streamline the menu situation.
My cocktail was enjoyable. I can't speak much to the food, but I definitely wouldn't recommend the housemade potato chips as a bar snack, they were so thin that they ended up being soft. If they were cut thicker, they may have been crunchier.
I was happy with the service - attentive, but they didn't rush our large group. They let me order a happy hour special cocktail even though we weren't sitting at the bar, perhaps because our group was so large that we couldn't have fit there.
The atmosphere is classy, a place you'll want to dress up a little. The noise level is bearable - it's not so loud that you need to yell, but it's bustling. The average age of the crowd was 30's-40's, so it's not super trendy filled with 20-somethings, but that means there's room to breathe.
I would come back to try more of the food. The free parking is certainly a plus, and makes this a convenient spot to meet for happy hour.

It's taken me a while to love this place - compared to the markets I frequent, of course it's just so expensive. I do appreciate organic and local, but the prices are so hefty for the average consumer. It's good my mother lives in a different state, because she would be horrified if she saw me buying things here. However, Fluff Bake Bar makes my favorite baked goods in the city in terms of quality and flavor, and the BLT is my favorite sandwich in the city. So a once a month splurge is a MUST.
First, that BLT - everything you've read about it is true. I never really "got" BLT's before - I mean, I like bacon but the sandwich always seemed a little too plain and thin for me. But now, I totally get it. Revival does it right - so many slices of bacon, and that bacon is so thick. This is a meaty, hearty sandwich.
I like pretty much everything about Fluff Bake Bar's baked goods - forget Crave, Sprinkles, or whatever, these are the best cupcakes in the city. A great combination of traditional baked goods with some modern trendier flavors, like the Veruca Salt cupcake - devil's food cupcake with salted caramel buttercream, mmmm. I had my husband order a chocolate cake with coffee buttercream for my birthday, and it was out of this world!
In January they carried the some of the best satsuma mandarins I've ever had, they were like candy. Since I come from California where farmers markets are plentiful, that's saying a lot. I can't wait until next January.

I've only been here for their Long Table Series dinner. While it was a fun and very well-priced meal, I strongly caution you against booking the evening they're serving hamburgers. Our tablemates explained to us that apparently in Canada, they usually cook burgers well-done despite any personalized requests. Something about mad cow. Unfortunately, the result in this case was a hockey puck served on a platter-sized bun, and that huge amount of overhanging bread certainly didn't help matters in the dryness department.

The final straw for me, was the promise of Dubliner Cheddar. Dubliner is one of my all-time favorite cheeses, I love its sharpness. When we arrived, they did a sly switcheroo. They announced the burger would be topped with Dubliner Cheddar "and mozzarella." What? Did they say mozzarella? Why would they add mozzarella on top of Dubliner cheddar when Dubliner is great just on its own?

When the burger came, I was dismayed. Not only by the aforementioned size and dryness, but when I opened up the bun I saw they had topped it with the thinnest sliver of Dubliner, so thin it became completely translucent upon melting, and covered that up with a thick slice of mozzarella. It became clear to me that they purposely substituted a cheaper cheese in place of a proper slice of pricier Dubliner, and specifically chose mozzarella because of its stretchiness so that it would *look* cheesy so as to mask the fact it didn't *taste* cheesy.

I had a feeling that going on the burger night would be a mistake, but with our itinerary I just didn't have a choice. I really should've rearranged something so we could do a different night. On top of it, my husband did not enjoy the chosen beer , and it garners generally poor reviews. But on principle, I really enjoy this idea of having an ongoing special dinner series - particularly one that is so well priced. Vancouver is not an inexpensive city. If I go back, I'd definitely do the Long Table again with a different menu.

A little training could take the customer service up a notch, and this location would be just as great as the original. The food quality seems the same, and the prices might be slightly lower, which is a plus. Service is friendly, but a little too casual, a bit inattentive. A little more effort, eye contact and confident professionalism in the staff would be great. But these minor shortcomings still aren't going to keep me away. I still think the po-boys are great, and the portions are generous.
It doesn't look like there is much seating at first, but there is a hallway and smaller room toward the back. The interior is bright and clean.
The one thing I don't know is whether this place is BYOB. I know they don't sell alcohol and the original location is BYOB, but the staff had no idea and it didn't seem like the thought of finding out ever occurred to them. Once again, more training and effort would be helpful here.
It wasn't crowded on a Friday night, but there was a steady flow of customers. Hopefully this Calliope's does well so that more great food will come to the foodie desert that is this neighborhood.

Though I fully appreciate the attention paid to the decor and dessert presentation, the desserts here simply don't appeal to my palate. The flavor profile is super light and delicate, typical for Asian bakeries, but at French patisserie prices. As in, what you would pay at an actual bakery in Paris. When the exchange rate is really bad.

I recommend this place for people who don't like sweets, or for those who harbor a ton of dessert guilt and can fool themselves into feeling less guilty if the cake is "not too sweet" and doesn't really taste like cake. Guess what, skinny ladies, it's still real butter and cream. Too bad.
As for me, I prefer desserts that are packed with full, real flavors and so don't have to be too sweet. I purchased a variety of cake slices and tried each one, hoping for the best. But the creations here just aren't for me.
If you're going to a dinner party with a bunch of well-to-do women who are constantly dieting, bring one of these cakes. It'll be all looks and light, and it's certain to be a huge hit.

Totally lives up to the many, many great reviews! I found myself at Magnolia after dropping off my husband at the airport early, and relying completely on Yelp stars since I don't know SA well. Wow - I gave this place every one of my breakfast tests and it passed with flying colors. The coffee was excellent, not too light, and they leave the carafe at the table. I love when places do that. The hot chocolate is not gritty, definitely not from a mix, and they pile it super-high with whipped cream. Extra bonus points for the generosity with whipped cream. I ordered the crab cake benedict and found it flavorful with the right amount of hollandaise - not drowning in sauce the way you'd find it at cheap breakfast joints. The specialty, bacon pancakes were very good. The bacon wasn't chewy in a way that would detract from the pancake texture, which was super light and fluffy. They were even good as leftovers later.
I found the service to very friendly, which I'm sure must be hard to maintain in such a busy spot. I arrived around 8am on a Sunday and though there was no wait, it was pretty full. By the time I left, I overheard someone say the wait was 45 minutes. Before 10am on a Sunday? Unheard of.
Better get there early, but it's worth it.