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We were 40 minutes late to Ponti's. I felt bad since our friends were waiting there the entire time. Apparently, they had gotten on the waiter's bad side by returning drinks they didn't like the...
We were 40 minutes late to Ponti's. I felt bad since our friends were waiting there the entire time. Apparently, they had gotten on the waiter's bad side by returning drinks they didn't like the taste of. Whatever, the customer's always right. I was in a good mood, so I was working the waiter's good side so he wouldn't spit in our vinagrette. However, bad bartending struck again.
Jason ordered a Cape Cod and it was the most watered down shit he'd ever had. He walked over to the bartender for a pow wow. This time, he ordered a double and it *still* tasted like water. WTF? Yeah, this and the whole being out of Pinot Grigio puts Ponti's on my shit list.
The food wasn't too bad. I had the Cajun Prawns in a nice sauce. Too bad the bread was fricken $2 (happy hour price too, hello!) else it would've been a nice light meal. Jason had the salmon quesadillas which were decent. Not amazingly awesome, but the flavors were what I expected them to be. Then he and I split a bacon cheeseburger and fries (they had no ranch dressing, wtf?! Plus they had the audacity to use a condescending tone when we asked for it). Frankly, McDevil' s has a better baco-cheeseburger but their fries were good.
Overall, Ponti's can suck my balls. The servers were total dicks and didn't hide their contempt for us that well. I was a total sweetheart to them and they looked down their snooty noses at me. To top it off, the drinks sukd and the food was overrated.
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Hmmm....what did I really expect for 13 bucks? I've gotten better cuts from an ass monkey.
First, she didn't even wet down my hair. Sure, it woulda been extra to get a shampoo, but she merely...
Hmmm....what did I really expect for 13 bucks? I've gotten better cuts from an ass monkey.
First, she didn't even wet down my hair. Sure, it woulda been extra to get a shampoo, but she merely misted my hair briefly. Then the haircut proceeded on pretty much dry hair. Big no no...First cut made. Not short enough....Second cut made....not short enough. She indicated how much she was taking off. I tell her more. I SHOW her how much to take off. Not short enough. I show her again....*exasperated* I guess that's enough.
Big no no 2. She starts cutting from one side and gradually works her way around back to the other side. Professionals start from the BACK of the head. When she completes her round, I can see that the other side is significantly longer than the side she started on. Em...yeah. The side she started on is clearly above my shoulders whereas the other side is hanging below it. Jesus woman, where the fuck were you trained? The Cosmetology School of Non-Euclidian Geometry?
I wait for her to notice this gross discrepancy. She actually starts adding some layers in before fixing the length difference. She "finishes" and lets me do a once-over. I tell her "Um...I think this side is longer." She says yeah...just a little bit, and proceeds to chop off an entire inch. (Yeah sure, that was a "little"). Oddly, she's only correcting the front part of the hair and not going back around to even it out. I shoulda caught it earlier but I wasn't given a mirror to check out the back part of the hair.
Oh why, oh why did I tip her? Goddamn generous me.
When I got home, I washed and blow dried my hair to see the damage. It wasn't too bad. I don't see how working with wet hair woulda killed her. Then when I checked out the longer side, she really did just focus on the front part when she went back to fix it. I could see the distinct gradation between fixed and non-fixed lengths...amateur.
Never. Again. And to think this lady was a manager. I recut my own hair at least 4 times, adding layers to fix her massive fuck up. She might as well used a bowl on me. At least that would have produced even results.
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It reminded me of a Denny's (on par with McD except with a larger helping of human despair). I decided to stick around closer to the law school and sample this hidden haven.
I hate making bad bad...
It reminded me of a Denny's (on par with McD except with a larger helping of human despair). I decided to stick around closer to the law school and sample this hidden haven.
I hate making bad bad jokes, but I'm seriously traumatized and not in my right mind. Sorry Celine, my heart will not go on. Not after this.
Imagine. An oval plate. A pasty yellow omelette. Some sort of filling (I'm guessing cheese), a decorative scattering of bell peppers and sausage. Just enough to insinuate a meal worth $6.00. A pasty, unbuttered English muffin (how the FUCK do you get an English muffin wrong?!) A small slice of cantaloupe peeking from beneath the carefully placed omelette and has browns. I love warm fruit.
And the hash browns. Goodie. I imagine that the cook shredded up some taters, microwaved them until tender, then gargled some melted lard in his mouth, shoveled a handful of the taters into his pie-hole, then *bleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah* onto the plate in one slimy globule. It glistened in the glinting sunlight. So beautiful.
After my meal was finished (Yes, all of it. I was hungry dammit), the plate looked cancerous with yellowish growths smattering around the decorative lettuce leaf.
Wash it down. Wash it down with coffee....
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Kisaku
Category:
Sushi
2101 N 55th St
Seattle, Washington 98103
(206) 545-9050
I've gone there two times and I really really like it a lot.
My date and I spent around $75 but were so completely stuffed beyond description. I could name many places where the same amount of...
I've gone there two times and I really really like it a lot.
My date and I spent around $75 but were so completely stuffed beyond description. I could name many places where the same amount of money will just get you started. We got appetizers, sake, lots of fish (sashimi and nigiri), a couple small rolls, and a couple LARGE rolls. Plenty to munch on.
The specialty rolls they had were huge and filled us up. A pretty good value and tasty at that. I remember a good selection of fresh fish that tasted nummy and buttery.
We sat at the bar one time and was given free treats throughout dinner. I think he was the owner. So delish. And the waitress was hot as well. I couldn't stop watching her mouth as she spoke.
The atmosphere was pretty cozy. We had a romantic time. It's a very pleasant experience overall. The food, waitstaff, price, atmosphere. Spot on.
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Keybank
Category:
Banks
3550 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, Ohio 44118
(216) 382-9100
Opening a new account at this bank was one of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had. I could even say that Bank of America is better (shocker!).
When I moved to Cleveland, my ma and I...
Opening a new account at this bank was one of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had. I could even say that Bank of America is better (shocker!).
When I moved to Cleveland, my ma and I opened a joint account so I could get an apartment there. My ma already had a business account with Key, so no problem, right?
Cut to two months later when I actually try to move into my new place. In order to get my keys and the lease, I needed to pay the standard 1st month's rent, blah blah in cash. I ran to KeyBank a block away to get it. Simple, right?
NOOOOO. Apparently, they couldn't "verify" the addresses on the account so my assets were on hold. I had opened the account with the apartment address I was supposed to move into but my ma had used the address SHE WAS ALREADY USING FOR HER OTHER ACCOUNT! So what if she used a PO Box, it was already a verified address!!! And why did they even LET us use a PO Box if they knew it wasn't allowed?!?!? HUH?!?!?!
They were asking me to send a copy of the lease (that I couldn't get UNTIL I got the cash) or a utility bill (that I haven't opened yet and couldn't even get to if I wanted since I didn't have the keys). Something about the new Patriot Act. Grrrrrrrr!!
The final time I went to address the SAME issue (even after getting my lease faxed over TWICE), the account rep said "Oh, I see what the problem is, I just needed to set this address as the primary. Doo doo doo, that should be it!" WHAT THE FUUUUUUUCK?!?! I wasted all that time for a NOVICE mistake?
To sum it up, I had to waste 10 HOURS (they are VERY VERY slow) over the course of 4 separate trips and 5 weeks, talked to 2 different morons, my account almost foreclosed (without getting notified), my first rent check bounced, ALL BECAUSE OF A SIMPLE CLERICAL ERROR!!!!!
I hate them hate them hate them hate them.
On top of all that, they have the funkiest business hours. Only open until 4:30 Mon-Thurs?!?!? Actually, when I went there last year, they had one random day in the week close at 4PM. WTF? Lazy mofos up in Cleveland, yo. Worst customer service in the country overall, I've seen.
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I loved listening to NPR for their straightforward delivery of the news and in-depth analysis. Sure, it made the kids yawn, but that's all I wanted to hear. If I wanted jaunty morning-show jibber...
I loved listening to NPR for their straightforward delivery of the news and in-depth analysis. Sure, it made the kids yawn, but that's all I wanted to hear. If I wanted jaunty morning-show jibber jabber, I'd get the news from tv.
So how disappointed was I when they tried to "revamp" Morning Edition with new hosts a couple years ago? One of the main benefits to getting my news from NPR was how professional and authoritative they sounded. Now the new hosts can barely spit out TWO SENTENCES without mucking it up or stumbling over words and phrases like a drunken sorority girl. I'm not listening to what they're saying now so much as wishing the old host was back.
Seriously, the next time you listen, count how many bumbles and mistakes are made in ONE minute of air-time. I thought these people were PROFESSIONALS! And not only can they NOT read the paper in front of them, they're now doing the ever-so-annoying chat-time segues between stories.
"Oh Bunny, how was the Sonics game last night?"
"It was great! I had front row seats and was screaming my brains out!"
"It must've been cold on the way out."
"Why yes it...."
IT DON'T CARE!!!! JUST GIVE ME THE NEWS!!!!!!!!
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A convenient place to get breakfast or lunch if you work in the vicinity. A little pricey at times (I could easily spend $10/day) but quality is pretty good.
Their breakfast items are decent....
A convenient place to get breakfast or lunch if you work in the vicinity. A little pricey at times (I could easily spend $10/day) but quality is pretty good.
Their breakfast items are decent. Lots of cheese on the breakfast sandwiches, sausage is savory, bacon is circular (!), but egg could be fluffier. Silver dollar pancakes are pretty good. When available, get their apple-filled pastries when they are warm. SO good.
As for lunch, I really enjoy their daily sandwich specials. The ciabatta rolls are great, the fresh mozzarella, salami, and basil Calabrese is garlicky but worth the stink. The Zesty chicken goes fast. Overall, their hot sandwiches are very well made. All sandwiches come with a small bag of Lays and a pickle included.
Soups change on a daily basis except for chili. The chili has beef and chicken and is very hearty. Their soups can be hit or miss. The crab bisques are usually good, especially with kernels of fresh corn in there.
The place can get a bit smoky from the grill and cold from keeping the doors open to let out the smoke. They have some seating available inside and out. Service is great. They know the regulars and have a good assembly line going to fill orders efficiently. For added convenience, they take orders via phone or fax and cater with 24 hours advance notice.
As a side note: LOVE the guy who dances with the sandwich board to advertise during lunch. People who go on Honda hill should recognize him. He rocks out like a spaz with cd player in hand, whipping around his crazy mop of hair. Beware, if you happen to look in his direction, he covers his face and screams a la Michael Jackson in "Black or White".
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moxie
Category:
Restaurants
530 1st Ave North
Seattle, Washington 98109
(206) 283-6614
Back in Cleveland, a friend highly recommended Moxie. I was surprised and delighted to see a locale in Queen Anne.
The gist of the review is that you should DEFINITELY go for the appetizers and...
Back in Cleveland, a friend highly recommended Moxie. I was surprised and delighted to see a locale in Queen Anne.
The gist of the review is that you should DEFINITELY go for the appetizers and desserts (during happy hour) but choose wisely on the entree.
The Bleu cheese flan appetizer was EXCELLENT. It was SO tasty and went well with the teeny tiny salad of spring greens and pear slivers. You could almost taste what you were paying for.
My fiance got the seared scallops and was not impressed. They were small, overcooked and had WAY too much pesto on them. We've made better at home. I can't even remember what the side dish was on that. Spinach? From what I could see, it was plate of green paste everywhere.
I was very tempted to get a traditional steak and garlic mashed potoates but my adventuresome nature got the best of me and I opted (last minute under pressure) for the quail stuffed with semolina. I had read a review about how it was highly recommended.
It was disturbingly similar to dissecting the actual bird. It was served in its bird shape and was stuffed with a bland semolina paste. The meat was very tender so when I tried to cut into it, it kinda "squished" as if the innards were being displaced. It didn't help that the stuffing paste blobbed out like...poop. Ugh, so disturbing.
To make the experience even MORE enjoyable, the leg bones were intact (though broken at the ankles) and I had to gnaw and suck on them like a maniac to get the tender meat off them. The side vegetable was some sort of green leafy deal (Spinach? Kale? Kelp?). It was sauteed/wilted with barely any seasoning.
The saving grace was the DESSERT! Oh luscious dessert, how I love you. We decided on the Pumpkin Creme Brulee and it made the evening almost worth it.
Couple more comments: bread was good, place gets LOUD LOUD LOUD. But from some kind of dimensional warp or from being seated next to a wall, I could still kinda hear my dining partner.
I expected a hefty price tag to this meal and for *that* they met the expectation. If I go back, it will be to try again with the different entrees or just give up and do appetizers and desserts at happy hour.
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I was very excited that there was a highly rated Thai place a few blocks from my new residence (according to Citysearch). However, after three very disappointing tries, I cannot bring myself to go...
I was very excited that there was a highly rated Thai place a few blocks from my new residence (according to Citysearch). However, after three very disappointing tries, I cannot bring myself to go there again.
The appetizers we had were greasy, bland, and served with the same plum sauce from a jar. The fundamental Phad Thai was overcooked and underseasoned (with a strange flavor, I might add). The Phad See-ew stirred some hope in me with good flavor but still overcooked noodles. The third and final visit, we got takeout during a slooooow weeknight, so no excuses.
My fiance ended up pouring the Tom Young Goong (his all-time favorite) into the toilet. The pineapple fried rice was bland and a waste of money (to think that a Thai restaurant in *Cleveland* beat them at fried rice). I couldn't remember if I ordered chicken with oyster sauce or garlic chicken since the "sauce" was merely a brown salty soup with no recognizable trace of garlic *or* oyster sauce. And the fresh veggie rolls were filled with luscious.......noodles and iceberg lettuce. Oh yeah, they stuck a sliver of cucumber in there too. No matter how hard I tried to see what all the praise was about, I couldn't see any gustatory reason for eating there.
At least the service was excellent.
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I have yet to find a place that has spring rolls as good as this place. They are fried, but are so light and crispy like a pastry. Seriously, I have gone to Cleveland and back without finding a...
I have yet to find a place that has spring rolls as good as this place. They are fried, but are so light and crispy like a pastry. Seriously, I have gone to Cleveland and back without finding a comparable spring roll. Their noodle dishes are typically excellent.
The only complaint is that they aren't consistent. One day, my Phad See-Ew is perfectly stir-fried, perfectly sauced with crispy veggies. The next day, the pan wasn't hot enough so it's soupy and the noodles broken up and overcooked/simmered. Then the day after that, there's barely any sauce and it's burnt everywhere. It's battered customer syndrome. When it's good, it's fantastic. After that, I'm chasing the dragon.
Their brick wall is insufferably unique and cool. Feels like dining in a prison with IKEA lighting...but I like that.
Also, beware of the gruff waitstaff. They can get pissy when they realize you didn't tip them what they didn't earn. Word of advice: Pay fast and get out the door before they see what you left behind!
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