http://www.rockwoodcc.com/crystals-cuts en crystal@rockwoodcc.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-25T00:05:49+00:00 Someone asked recently about where they could find comfort food fast in Long Beach. When you're starving and don't care for fussy service, check out the buffet at Arnold's on Atlantic. The guys will carve your turkey, roast beef or offer you fried chicken, fish, whatever. You see it, point and they hand it to you. You're eating minutes later and if you happen by on a Sunday when church is letting out you might catch some of the hats on parade. Lots of fun. Great place run by hard-working family and the servers have been with them for years. Like a step back in time complete with green jello, deviled eggs and waldorf salads. Comfort food and fast. 2010-03-25T00:05:49+00:00 Colds gone bad to-Bronchitis have a way of making one an expert at chicken soups. There's those piled with tortilla chips on top with cheese, the confetti noodles in Liptons dry chicken noodle soup, Progresso's chunky whatever, Campbells standard can, chicken with rice at the Old Ranch Parkway cafe and the random specials I've sampled all over OC and Long Beach these past weeks. I haven't sprouted feathers yet but I can't find a winner. I love those that are made from scratch with real chicken then dusted on top with real just-shaved Parmesan cheese. Not happening with a scant energy account. So I settle for using Swanson chicken broth, add cheese tortellini, then dust it with canned Parmesan cheese. If any one knows of a good to go chicken soup, do share! 2009-11-12T18:20:03+00:00 Who wants to spend $$ and a chunk of it in this economy if you don't have to? But when your water pressure is down to a trickle and it takes more than 20 minutes to get shampoo out of your hair, well think about the water being wasted not to mention the wear on your nerves. After 40 some years, pipes give out and if you have to get your place re-piped, you can't go wrong wtih Chee and his crew at Pacific Coast Copper Repipe. No games, no hassels, no huge price inflates.They work quickly, clean up and are cheerfully polite as they break into walls and install shiny copper stuff. Have heard nightmares from others who re-piped, none with these guys, only sweet dreams. 2009-11-06T00:22:16+00:00 From the moment you walk in, an easy greeting in a cool coloful place where though the staff wears black, they don't carry that "we are so tragically hip" snobby attitude that gets old fast. Waiters know the menu and make sensible recommendations, the service flows easily enough to be just the right amount of visibility at the table. Chef came up with a "hot chocolate" dessert that was marvelous--presentation was rather pedestrian but flavors and textures rocked high. 2009-10-05T19:00:40+00:00 Ever gone to a florist and nothing strikes your eye in the pre-made arrangements which look hospital-like ghoulish and expensive to boot. Then you ask if there is anything else and you get a dazed look back, "What we have is out." Ohh so helpful but thankfully that is not the case at Devynns' Garden at 5305 East 2nd street in Belmont Shore. Say your price and you will walk away with a beautiful, creative bouquet guaranteed to cheer up a sick friend or delight a hostess. 2009-10-01T18:52:03+00:00 LB Press Telegram story says event starts promptly at 9. It did. It also ended barely 7 minutes later. You would think an occassion of this magnitude would deserve at least a 15 minute tribute. Squeezed into the 'memorial ceremony' was the mayor's remarks, taps and Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes and that was it. No remarks from the Fire or Police heads. It probably only last 5 minutes, perhaps I was too stunned to note the time correctly. Put it this way, including the walk to the parking structure, I was driving out the exit at 9:12, is that sad or what? The civilian lives lost and the brave public safety people that put theirs on the line deserve more than what was offered up today. 2009-09-12T00:31:12+00:00 Right there in the middle of a nationally televised speech, Joe Wilson errupts and yelling loudly, calling the President a liar. So not good. So way bad. So such a poor example. There are civil ways of showing disagreement, that is not one of them. 2009-09-10T00:42:59+00:00 A gift card takes us there and wow--service was flawless. The waiter was so good, I swear the food tasted all the better for it. Drinks coming without being asked, meals cooked perfectly to order--they even got the pasta al dente, a feat that seems too difficult for most places. Awesome service all around. 2009-09-06T00:40:03+00:00 If only they could be consistent, it would be easier to rate this place and I would like it to be higher but they really hover between poor to average. Despite the pleasant greeting and the promise of the waiter who says, "I'll be taking excellent care of you today" we are about three bites into our salad when our entrees come and the server stands there like this is our problem. So we have to cram all the dishes on to the table and the waiter floats by later oblivious to the crowed table top and of course asks if everything is o.k. Why bother telling him the entree is cold? Sorry, either they're too slow, too fast but rarely reliable. 2009-08-19T23:51:30+00:00 There seems to be a dirty little secret to this popular dining spot that folks are outing--if you don't meet their "beauty" standards you get either treated like dirt or asked to leave. Seriously folks. Word is that three lovely ladies went to dinner and ordered an appetizer, drinks plus FOUR entrees , one to go for a husband. Less than 3 minutes after the check arrived, they were asked to leave even though they had been there about an hour. Funny thing is, there were two other tables nearby with glammed up gals and they were DONE eating and drinking and had been sitting there longer but they were not asked to leave. Isolated incidence? I don't think so. Checked it out with arguably a gorgeous blonde and she told me her and her female friends got very icy service when they came in one night from an exercise class and she related another story of a group of friends who were shunned and gave rude crummy service but other patrons who were perhaps more endowed got lavished with great service. Something stinks more than the garlic at Roma Cucina... 2009-08-18T00:46:42+00:00 Still one of the best Chinese restaurants in Albany. Always gracious service, beautiful decor and peaceful pace. Incredible Marco Polo prawns and perfectly prepared pot stickers. Consistently great in service and food. 2009-08-14T21:32:51+00:00 Don't bother trying to adopt a cat if there's even 1% chance it will be outside. Heard of the crazy cat ladies? These folks make them look sane. We were upfront with staff and volunteers that we wanted a primarily indoor cat but there would be access to the outside occassionally. They say no problem, show you cats and kittens galore, make you fill out a detailed application (according to our vet, we are "the greatest pet owners") and after visiting three separate times, hours later we choose THE PERFECT kitty only to be told, "No." Reason? They don't allow any adoptions where a cat/kitty has a speck of a chance of being outside. So why didn't they tell us that on the first, second or third trip, or before falling in love with the kitty, filling out the application and standing in line?? Answer, "We have to see if you were going to lie. This is how we see if you are telling the truth." Yep, real mind games that our taxes pay for, and they cry about having too many cats. Go figure. 2009-08-08T21:12:13+00:00 Greeted with a warm friendly welcome. Picnic decor is informal but Frette-like tablecloths so it's real cozy. Probably the biggest pizzas I've seen in all of Italy, with two on a table you have this huge plate at least 25% off the table over your lap with this incredible thin crunchy crust and all fresh ingredients. Yum.Waiter spoke English well enough to make us feel guilty when we couldn't finish the pizzas but after we assured him it was great he was less crestfallen. 2009-07-07T23:42:28+00:00 On Viale Bressagio in Murano, they sell the real thing, no mass manufactured glass from China with inferior materials and worksmanship. Most pieces are made by the son of the owner,and she takes great pride in explaining how the pieces are made. Great service all around. 2009-06-24T23:36:43+00:00 Charming place with fairly good food but service stretches even the most patient Frenchman. Juiliette works hard but the kitchen is so slow it is hard to overlook the hungry, impatient faces of everyone in the dining room. 2009-06-22T23:32:13+00:00 A tiny gem easy to overlook, but with pieces by Van Gough, Madigliani, Picasso and Degas to name a few of the heavy hitters in this private collection. Somewhat neutral service exchange from the staff but still worth the visit. Like seeing good art without the crowds in a museum. 2009-06-20T23:28:23+00:00 Ever had your brand new glasses that you picked up on a Saturday night, break on a Sunday afternoon three hours before your flight leaves and of course, the optical shop is closed? Enter LensCrafters, more importantly, Melissa the manager at the Westminister Mall shop. She jumped in so fast and leap frogged my order to the top (and it was complicated). To make things work under such a tight deadline as the Rx was in a different place, she was creative, flexible and best of all, calmed me down with the best customer service ever. I had glasses in hand at the airport. Melissa and company Rock! http://www.lenscrafters.com 2009-06-14T21:40:37+00:00 Donald Trump for keeping Prejean as Miss CA. 2009-05-19T21:10:12+00:00 Miss California pageant for wanting to distance themselves from Carrie Prejean for speaking her mind 2009-05-19T21:09:44+00:00 Facials, nail care and pampering stuff in a calm friendly atmosphere. Owner Camlin sets the pace and it is easy and relaxing. No yammering on cell phones or yelling around the room in foreign languages and thankfully, no pushy pitches, i.e. $10 more, I do for you… 2009-05-12T21:08:15+00:00 Friendly, casual service in a tea room setting with servings big enough for hungry guys to be satisfied. Home cooking at its best served with sincere smiles. Awesome scones. Pat Garza knows how to bake scones, probably the best outside of Edinburgh or London. 2009-05-09T21:06:54+00:00 Via a. nota 7 Torino, Italy Seamless, quiet and “subito” (immediate) service. Top service and food in classic setting. 2009-04-28T20:17:54+00:00 Piazza Colombo, 1 Monterosso, Italy Dependable adequate service; excellent breakfast buffet perfect fuel for the Cinque Terre hike. 2009-04-28T20:09:54+00:00 http://www.lucacentro.it Piazza della Magiono, 2 Lucca, Italy Service so warm and friendly you could almost forget about going onward to Florence. Elisa is enthusiastic in helping you find the perfect ristorante, place for gelato or anything else. 2009-04-28T20:09:54+00:00 Via Santa Marta 11 Milan, Italy Classic, gracious service accompanied by amazing food, especially the cotolette and risotto alla Milanese. 2009-04-28T20:06:54+00:00 p.zza Mercatale, 49 Prato, Italy Greeted as if you trust whatever comes out of that kitchen and you should. Solid, appreciative service. Incredibly delicious bean soup. 2009-04-28T20:05:54+00:00 Via Costasecca, 10 Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy Gracious and attentive service, excellent location and fair breakfasts. 2009-04-28T20:05:54+00:00 http://www.bbaccademia.com Venice, Italy Hard to find but worth the journey. Friendly atmosphere with excellent breakfasts. 2009-04-28T20:04:54+00:00 Calle Priuli ai Cavvaletti, Cannaregio 68 Venice, Italy Where cheap lodging and friendly welcome service intersect which is not always the case in Venice. 2009-04-28T20:02:54+00:00 http://www.thestaffordhotel.co.uk St. James Place, London If you didn’t know better, you’d think they were mind readers here. Tired upon arrival? They’ll send up a quick cup of tea and something to nibble on. Tickets to sold out shows? Not to worry. Directions, suggestions, recommendations for the cheapest to the most expensive? They handle everything with seamless ease and class. 2009-04-28T20:02:54+00:00 212-229-2611 New York, NY Tiny sliver of a place that feels like you’re walking into someone’s home with a suitable welcome as if you’re family maybe on the distant cousin side. Simple food so good that the service warms up to you. 2009-04-28T20:02:54+00:00 http://www.starlingdiner.com Long Beach, CA Friendly welcome matched by warm service from waiters. Impressive, eclectic menu with traditional and modern twists on old favorites. 2009-04-28T19:59:54+00:00 http://www.shenandoahatthearbor.com Los Alamitos, CA Inside or out, they want you to sit where you want and the ensuing warm service from surprise hush puppies to the best ever pound cake has won over many a chocolate lover. 2009-04-28T19:58:54+00:00 http://www.patinagroup.com Los Angeles, CA Warm business like greeting, perfect for work meetings with service that is attentive without calling attention to itself. California version of Italian fare (i.e. creative names and ingredients) but overall serves good to excellent food in a very Italian like setting. 2009-04-28T19:58:54+00:00 http://www.tamarindoantojeria.com Oakland, CA Once you have the server’s attention, it can almost warm up to good service but it’s one of those places where you have to call attention to yourself to get the staff to notice as they are incredibly busy serving great food. 2009-04-28T19:57:54+00:00 310-546-5575 Manhattan Beach, CA Instant smile and friendly greeting, service attentive but not cloying. Waiters know when to offer new things and when to give you space. Lively, colorful place with consistently good food that matches the descriptions. 2009-04-28T19:48:54+00:00 http://www.lovejoystearoom.com San Francisco, CA Grace giving, amazing service with all the comforts of settling into a cozy place where you sincerely welcome and wanted. 2009-04-28T19:47:54+00:00 http://www.la-parolaccia.com Long Beach, CA Count on a hearty greeting usually in Italian when you walk in from either one of the brothers who own the place or the adorable hostesses. Throughout your meal, they do their best to make sure you’re happy and fussed over a good osteria will do in Italy. 2009-04-28T19:46:54+00:00 http://www.johnnyrebs.com Long Beach, CA The Southern hospitality greeting hugs you at the door and the wait staff carry the tune perfectly from then on with frequent checks to see if you have everything you need and then some. Consistently good BBQ and excellent peach cobbler for those who ever get past the biscuits, gravy and all the other fixin’s. 2009-04-28T19:46:54+00:00 Long Beach, CA Depending on the location, sometimes its 3rrrs but always you are greeted directly and happily given a taste of any flavor you request. Cheers to the stores that put up signs saying they will be happy to serve you after you’ve finished your cell phone call. 2009-04-28T19:45:54+00:00 http://www.frenchysbistro.com Long Beach, CA Expect a very respectful welcome as someone who knows you are about to be served an excellent meal from the appetizer down to the soufflé. Discreet, genteel service as offered to any royalty no matter if you’re wearing a sweat shirt (please, leave that at home for the rest of us.) 2009-04-28T19:44:54+00:00 http://www.greenstreetrestaurant.com Pasadena, CA Solid perfunctory service, attentive but not folksy by any means. Special requests are usually accommodated and every server knows the menu/wine list quite well. The famous Dianne salad remains the most popular menu item. 2009-04-28T19:44:54+00:00 562-594-9400 Long Beach, CA Small neighborhood gem tucked away on Studebaker road. Always happy to see you, great soups, sandwiches and of course, crepes. 2009-04-28T19:43:54+00:00 510-271-7965 Oakland, CA Everyone is treated as a regular. Wedged on Washington Street with a great view of the weekly farmer’s market, offers great Italian breakfasts, lunch and heavenly coffee. 2009-04-28T19:42:54+00:00 510-268-8849 Oakland, CA Average to warm service, but always 100% dependable best corn-cherry scones, sticky buns, cheese scones, baguettes to battle for and great spreads. 2009-04-28T19:40:54+00:00 Why is that a car chase will knock out regular news broadcasts—even on election night? Only in our beloved SoCal … 2009-04-25T22:07:08+00:00 Speaking of news stations, since when did reporters add quips like, “this is anti-CNN” ?? My old journalism professor would have dashed out an “F” should that comment wind up in a news story… 2009-04-19T21:14:17+00:00 Washington, D.C. taxi cabs, the mixed bag—the bad ones don’t know where the water is in Alexandria or won’t take you to Alexandria and the few good ones make up for the others by being driving encyclopedias’ of the best places to eat, fastest routes and they get you there with no surprise charges… 2009-04-04T22:07:13+00:00 President Obama—moving to increase community volunteerism by signing national service legislation. Kudos for valuing the role of mentors and strengthening AmeriCorps. 2009-04-01T22:06:54+00:00 Carrie Prejean and honesty—more classy stuff, courteously owns her opinions and walks away tall even when she’s dropped like a hot potato 2009-04-01T22:06:54+00:00 Captain Richard Phillips and humility—no wonder his crew adore him. Extraordinary courage but gives the credit to others. 2009-04-01T22:06:54+00:00 Perez Hilton and beauty pagents—odd combination but hopefully that was the last time we hear a foul rant because someone didn’t agree with his views. 2009-04-01T22:05:54+00:00 Condi Rice on Jay Leno show—class act all the way. Not a disparaging word about any president—past or present. 2009-04-01T22:04:54+00:00 Quick out of the gate, fast answers when you need them in a hurry to get a story out. Patrick Wengler knows his stuff and treats you as if you spent a million dollars on their services. 2009-03-26T21:07:44+00:00 http://www.acrac.com Fountain Valley, CA How can you argue with a friendly welcome and “What’s happening with your baby right now?” Easily, they would receive 4 rrrrs for the TLC the staff and doctors generously give all pets but their chronically late schedule makes even routine visits taxing. 2008-12-26T20:22:54+00:00 Clone please—Mornings on 2 in the Bay Area, Can’t someone else make a good local morning show for Southern California? 2008-12-04T21:13:44+00:00 http://www.traderjoes.com Long Beach, CA You are hosting a dinner for 6 in 90 minutes and the chicken you open from yesterday’s purchase smells awful. A quick call to TJ’s surprises you as they rush a replacement to your door in 30 minutes with their apologies. Unexpected but so welcome service. 2008-09-01T20:24:54+00:00 http://www.rei.com Huntington Beach, CA You’ll think twice about buying outdoor gear or equipment from mall-mega stores once you’ve tasted REI’s service and product guarantee. They know their merchandise; happy to explain it to you to fit your needs (not their sales quotient) eagerly insist you bring it back if it doesn’t work—for no fee. 2008-09-01T20:24:54+00:00 http://www.acaauto.com Long Beach, CA You’ll always get a sunny greeting from anyone behind the counter and they mean it sincerely. All costs laid out clearly, no surprises or hard sells to upgrade. If ever a mistake happens on their watch, they go out of their way to put things right accompanied by a bonus. 2008-09-01T20:23:54+00:00 Via del Proconoslo, 39r Florence, Italy Almost better than average service in a popular tourist city where it’s easy to get looked over. Average food and priced fairly. 2008-07-20T20:18:54+00:00 Via Rosina 2/r Florence, Italy Crowded with regulars and tourists that the host crams together family style onto tiny tables, service is the same to everyone across the board: hearty welcome, glad you’re here, see what we made in the kitchen today. Fabulous food. 2008-07-19T20:17:54+00:00 Alter Markt 7 Salzburg, Austria One step in this tiny shop and they make you feel like a queen/king on the spot. Many competitors crank out copycats of their infamous Salzburger Mozartkugel but the ones made by them, by hand, cannot be beat. 2008-07-07T20:19:54+00:00 Via Stinche Florence Yes they have the best or almost the best gelato in the world depending on who you talk to but service is thin to non-existent. No welcome or smiles, but no one really cares--one taste of their gelato and you forget who served you in the first place. 2008-04-28T20:18:54+00:00 Via dei Tavolini 19r Florence, Italy Considered a close second to the famous Vivoli’s gelateria, but if the owner Paola serves you, you’re in for a treat. Fun, lively and friendly. 2008-04-28T20:16:54+00:00 http://www.optometrycare.com Garden Grove, CA Individualized and attentive service, you’ll never look to buying from a chain name again. Hollie is like your personal eye coach, great personal service. 2008-02-01T20:21:54+00:00 http://www.kitchenoutfitters.net Long Beach, CA Friendly, helpful and generous in sharing cooking tips. Ryan will go out of his way to help you figure out a great meal even if it requires something he doesn’t sell or have on stock. Always helpful and putting customers first. 2007-12-01T20:23:54+00:00 http://www.godaddy.com On-line service Sure they ask you up front about your customer service info, but they immediately engage in a helpful manner no matter how many times they must have heard the same stupid question that day. You’ll never feel stupid for asking questions and even if what you need is in another area, they’ll still help you get done quickly. 2007-09-01T20:19:54+00:00 562-598-0200 Los Alamitos, CA If you have to see a urologist, Dr.Wu will break whatever preconceived notions you have about bad doctor service. Prompt, and a patient listener, he will go the extra mile to make sure your time and requests are respected. 2007-08-01T20:22:54+00:00