Wall E is a good movie, not great. Good for older kids, not less than 3 or 4. They've done a phenomenal job with the graphics and underlying social commentary on the future of United States and letting big brother take care of you but beyond that the story is slow and most of the humor as sophisticated as slapstick as the robot deals with his 700 year old design. Definitely worth seeing on video but I'd wait instead of paying through the nose for tickets at the movie theater.

I was a part of the original cast about 15 years ago when we were cobbling together the faire with SKA. All my best to Betsy Deneau who I see is still very actively involved! Best of luck with this year's Renaissance Faire

I couldn't stand to see the one terribly negative review here. He is one of the greatest lyricists ever and a superb pop artist. Frankly, he's been the better of the two Disney choices (no offense Phil Collins) and his hits from the 70s are still hot.

The Point feels a little vacant unless crowded and the staff seems bored. Expensive drinks but in their defense, this is, perhaps, the most social choice for people looking for some fun.

Wonderfully engaging and exciting on stage. He is thought provoking and often with unique perspective to really add value to a topic.

Enjoy the nearby marina or multitude of beaches and pools. This is on Beach side resort that doesn't forget that people on vacation WANT the views at their restaurants and bars with most literally right on the beach. Lots of activities (snorkel, fishing, jet ski, etc.) and perfect for families with day care and themed clubs.

There is nothing here that I'm aware of. Is it, perhaps, inside a building for another business??

Perry's is the only convenient Deli around but it should, at best, be classified as a sandwich shop and more accurately, as a vacant space that put in a microwave and happily prepares dishes your mom used to make you for lunch.

I don't care for the fact that they lightly fry some of their dishes (kung pao, for example) but they are reasonably priced and a good choice for take out. Restaurant is usually vacant so it can be a lonely, private choice for dinner.

The list of awards was surprising and yes they are in need of a remodeling but it isn't outrageously priced considering what you good. Decent choice for take out.

Great selection and appetizers to wet your appetite before dinner. Be sure to stop by one of their outstanding wine tastings!

Fresh grilled skewers with healthy rice, potatos, salad, or other sides. Order skewers and sides separately making this a quick, inexpensive, healthy meal.
(The one in San Jose changed their menu, I hope that hasn't happened here)

She's past her prime. I think she was entertaining and a good choice for the attractive starring roles she found years ago but I think she's lost her value.

I really think he is under appreciated but his characters can come across as a little unappealing

He always acts the same so a point off for that but his bumbling professional is the best in the industry!

How bad is that, here I am writing a review about them and I can't think of the name of the show I like. He's a great comedian, wonderful timing and stage presence.

Great for kids, very inexpensive.

A small cafe that reminds me more of a donut shop. Great baked goods and good breakfast sandwiches.

Superb service and a great salon. The place could use some updating/remodeling but they are exceptional and reasonably priced.

They don't get any better than Jamba Juice which is why they have sprung up all over the place as quickly as Starbucks. This one is conveniently located with great staff!

I grew up coming here and my first experience with real roller coasters took place overlooking the water in Sandusky Ohio. The Magnum and Demon Drop are some of my fondest memories!

More fun than should be allowed on a school night. I'm still pissed that my answer to one of the music quizzes was Journey and the guy running the game claims the right answer was Alabama but, who am I to question the oracle?? Great time, good crowd, and tons of fun.

Good or bad this is the place to party

The problem is the service is exceptionally slow. The food is good and atmosphere appealing and warm. Great for business lunches/dinners and good for a quite dinner out.

His sense of timing and visual performance is outstanding. He is a joy to watch and can play serious roles with equal skill.
Only problem with him, star penalty, is he does come across a bit as a method actor, too much of his personality comes through in his characters; in many cases, this is fine but too often can be annoying.

Great place to catch a play, musical or concert. Not too large that you are resigned to bad seats in the back of the room yet large enough to host a great party or rousing show.

Doesn't get much better!

U of M is a close rival in Ann Arbor but the town exists because of the college so you are left feeling lonely in the Summer. In Kalamazoo Michigan, Western Michigan puts college life in an urban (okay so it isn't Detroit-scale urban) setting.

Amazing location in the middle of Santana Row in a seemingly historic, glass building imported from Europe. The wines are good but a star off for their always being too crowded to really enjoy a glass of wine and some company.

Outstanding ice cream in a great location with music and wonderful restaurants around throughout Santana Row.

The live jazz almost every night is the real draw to Roux. The Louisiana style cooking is spicy but the food doesn't wow me beyond to say it is a good 4 out of 5 stars. Out door seating is attractive on Santana Row's green square where more live music can often be found.

Bella Luna has slightly kitshy decor with blue sky and stars on the ceiling but the food is good and the kitch is tasteful.

I've seen him speak a dozen or so times. He always has innovative and unique industry metrics and insights to share. With a sense of humor thrown in.

Their music is catchy and educational. TV shows are great for kids 1-4 and the live show is a great family event for kids even older. Pick up tickets as soon as you can as they go fast.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum was completely remodeled in a renovation of downtown Kalamazoo about 12 years ago. May sound like a long time but the results were tremendous and the museum and planetarium is now one of the best in the area.

One of the best experiences of my life. I highly encourage everyone in Kalamazoo, Portage, even Battle Creek to participate.

Their food reminds me of college cafeteria quality. A step up from high school but still not fine dining. Also comes to mind: Hometown Buffet.

This one is in a corner off a freeway so parking is very limited.

They were one of the great bands of the 80s who realized the magic and power of MTV. Delivering innovative videos gave them air time for their catchy pop tunes to dominate the charts.

I could have seen No Doubt becoming a major band going the distance like Aerosmith. With the break up, Gwen Stefani moved on to become a much larger star but only through commercialization which will lead to her saturation and downfall.

She just rubs me the wrong way. Some of her stuff is just great while more seems reminiscent of Madonna as she changes her appearance and music like a chameleon. One of her strengths was being a Pink like rocker with a bit more of a pop edge to herself. I appreciate diversifying and keeping with the times but don't go too commercial.

Funny, an excellent singer, and all done with ventriloquism?!? Great show in Las Vegas. Well worth it if you are in town for entertainment.

It is an awesome attraction similar to New York New York in atmosphere but the excitement is missing. You visit Paris for the culture, food, and peace; that mood just doesn't work in Vegas. Don't get me wrong, this is one of the best casinos on the strip, the shows are good and food outstanding but I usually pass on gambling here.

The layout is perfect with the lounge really removed from the dance floor allowing folks to just hang out and party if they want to get away from the crowd and music. The DJs have always been great and drinks easy to get.

Rio makes up the three casinos that are off the Strip yet rival the quality of the mega resorts on the main road (the other two being Palms and Hard Rock). Rio is certainly, the third of those three but has great entertainment, relatively inexpensive accommodations and food, and just as much attraction with a couple of fun night clubs.

Casino is just fine. This is one of the older themed casinos in Vegas and it is showing its wear. It is a fine place to gamble and get a relatively inexpensive room but it does feel a little removed from the action of the Strip even though it is located right on it.

I went to an Angels & Devils costume party here a couple years ago. Thousands of people in an arena best likened to a basketball stadium.

I'll admit, I wasn't blown away by the food. Very good to be sure but not N9ne Steakhouse as far as I'm concerned. The festive atmosphere is a bit off putting, you are in for the best dining experience but the ceiling strikes of a circus tent.

If you want to experience the wealth and excess that is Las Vegas, Bellagio (and Wynn), are the places to go. From exquisite art galleries to the finest dining and 5 star restaurants, this is where you want to go to spend money. Rates are always expensive and on the higher end of the range for the strip but you get what you pay for, exceptional service, great shows, and the best entertainment and dining.

It's very close but this place comes across as more kitsch than Caribbean magic. The food is what you'd expect from a good chain restaurant and the bar is a lot of fun.

The pool remains one of the best in Vegas and for the price, you can't beat the location! Restaurants are average and the hotel needs some work. Gambling is can be found on the cheap and service is always top notch.

It just doesn't feel comfortable unless you want the gold plating, trump tower feeling that comes from being in a lavish environment. The fake grass outside is cool and the luxury car dealership is worth a tour. Otherwise Wynn is expensive gambling and a taste of the good life.

The clubs and restaurants remain innovative and some of the best in Vegas. Casino is good and accommodations are great

They know how to keep the casino hot. Treasure Island was the first to bring the sin back to sin city with racier shows and clubs drawing crowds after management woke up to the fact that Las Vegas is not a family destination. The hotel could use some sprucing up but it is 4 stars for what you pay for it.

It was among the first of the new wave of development so the setting has seen some wear but the shows, clubs, and restaurants as just as good. Hotel accommodations are a little less expensive than the premium spots and the Luxor's proximity to the monorail and strip makes it a worthwhile choice.

A cheaper, older casino with inexpensive accommodations (relatively speaking). The place is well maintained and gambling as good as anywhere. Shows are decent and service exceptional.

But the casino leaves something to be desired. You are at the Hard Rock to see and be seen. It makes it hard to have a great time if you are there to play. The bar in the center of the casino is the epicenter of the action and the nightclubs and concerts that come through the Hard Rock. This is the place to be if you want to do anything but gamble.

Jabber wockees? Jabberwockies? Jabba wockies?? They need to work on that name so people can find them online but that says nothing of their spectacular talent. They are just fantastic to watch with dance moves that defy logic.

Without question the most versatile and spectacular dance group. BreakSk8 performs on roller skates allowing them to move and literally float around the stage.

No... scratch that. I've done it both ways. On the floor was a bit much but we were inundated with girls and, clearly, the thought of as hottest guys in the club. At the same time, being off the dance floor felt like we were missing something while the reprieve was a nice break. The lines at the bar are not worth the effort, get a VIP table or head down to the Playboy Club to get drinks (which by the way is also a nice reprieve so I'm going to go with VIP table ON the floor). Make reservations in advance. Tell them I sent you.

I've had dinner with Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends, Adam Savage, Jerry Rice, Paris Hilton, and Shannon Elizabeth (okay so they were at the next table over!) The service is impeccable and the food top notch. Always make a reservation well in advance and plan to move from Nine to Moon, Playboy Club, or Ghostbar from here. Good wine list and perfect steaks.

That's harsh. This place is as hot as it was when it opened and worth every effort to get in through the doors. My point is that it is one of the older (10 years) clubs so most are looking for the hot new destination. Rain has awesome music and great VIP treatment. The fire and water that falls from the ceiling makes this a spectacle.

Gambling, drinks, beautiful women, and the perfect vibe for a nightclub or lounge. The fire setting at one end perfectly complements the bunny dealt blackjack tables which you'll never find available for less than $100 a hand. The bars are far more accessible than upstairs and Moon and the atmosphere is a nicer retreat from the techno / dance of the club upstairs.

This place has figured it out. Fast, cheap and easy. And surprisingly good!

Pure is one of the hottest clubs in Vegas and I've got to wonder what the draw is as the wait is not worth the setting (inside). Head in after an hour plus wait and you find your usual mix of rooms with different genres.
That said, I only found myself wondering this until I headed outside where the VIP lounges are the best seats available and a bar is easily accessible on the strip.
Tip the staff outside $20 and save yourself the headache of the line.

Ghostbar is 70% lounge, 50% nightclub (yes, I know the numbers don't add up). Outstanding place to just hang out before a night in Vegas. Decent place to club, dance, and party. The view from the balcony makes this worth the wait to get in.

Think of it like the Hard Rock with far better attractions. The food is decent, worth a trip but don't expect to be blown away by the cajun stylings. Their concert calendar is outstanding.

Feels a little emptier than it should be an a few of the creations are disappointing but for the most part, Madame Tussaud's is worth a trip. If you've been to one of the others (San Francisco, for example) I'd pass. If you've never been, find the time and give it a go!

The restaurant is so spacious it feels a little like a warehouse. Order from a counter and sit where you can (the place is busy for lunch). The food is outstanding, looks very fresh and taste exceptionally good. Points off only for the vacuous atmosphere the place seems to hold.

Pacific islander decor is well met with great unique dishes and fun drink. This place is great for happy hours, a fun choice for lunch, and a nice place for dinner. It is a chain (I believe) with an older, original in San Francisco... assuming they are the same, don't let the Trader Vics in San Francisco fool you, this one, in Palo Alto, is much newer and nicer.

Compare it to one of the paint your own pottery places that are now everywhere. This is a great, unique idea. They give you candle shapes, colors, wax designs, and scents and you create your own in 30 minutes or less. The place has a real "artsy" feel and is a nice addition to the new Northstar Village.

From the outside, this deceptive pub calls to you like your grandmothers cottage from where warm oatmeal raisin cookies waft through the windows. An old wood porch sits nicely along the main road through Tahoe City; missing from the bench are the two old men in suspenders and plaid ogling ski bunnies coming down from the slopes.

Be prepared to be blown away by the kitsch and clutter that smacks you like a garden gnome looking for a cameo in a Travelocity commercial when you cross the threshold. Directly above are some of the most beautiful handmade wood toys for toddlers, next to a model biplane made from Budweiser cans. On the wall,, next to an authentic Nascar car hood (yes, the entire hood), is an homage to the Award Winning, Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, transvestite classic "Some Like it Hot" painted by.... Tony Curtis (apparently). Tony's likeness appears before the Hotel Coronado in San Diego while the drag queens pose with Sugar Kane. I was first embarrassed to find myself the only one the bar (I being younger than most) who could name the film then was dragged, kicking and screaming into being introduced to everyone else who walked through the door as "Curtis, Tony's grandson, check out the resemblance" (okay, so maybe I wasn't kicking and screaming).

Lucky for me I arrived on the eve of Lake Tahoe's winter fest, a week long excuse to drink. The bar was racous and wet from the folks who had just come from the mardi gras parade; a few guys at the bar discovered they took a photo of a very girl at the bar who had just earned her beads from them (yes, that kind of photo). One of the guys ambled along side her and with arm around her shoulder, showed off his crowning moment in photography.

Fun and mere drinks not enough for you? Rosie's is home to the ShotSki, a full snow ski with holes bored through the top to serve 4 shots at once to you and your friends. Above the Shotski on the wall is an official plaque that reads, "Rosie's, First bar in the world to serve Jaegermeister on tap"

Make sure you say hello to Dr. Dennis. He's been making his own outstanding bloody Mary Mix, a point I couldn't have overlooked as our friend with the camera announced "it's bloody awful!," for 40 years. He likes to share that he's lucky to be working Rosie's, all his other friends are in jail or were killed in Vietnam.... I suppose the story sells drinks.

The food is fine bar fare, satisfactory but not great. Go to Rosie's for the drinks, excellent happy hour, and feeling of community (every Wednesday is the local Kiwanis Club meeting upstairs)

Yes, I feel that strongly about it. Northstar has the epic skiing of the sierra's; fine powder amongst the woods at 10,000 feet. Northstar has a new village that just trumps closest and next best attempt at Squaw Valley with great restaurants, ice skating, art galleries, and other amenities. They certainly cater to snow boarders with the best adventure parks of any ski resort I've been supporting all levels from designed jumps to free style half pipes. A gondola takes you half way up the summit before the fun even begins where you'll often find live music, competitions, and other entertainment. I'm still not done, they've figured out how best to teach toddlers and kids with numerous areas to learn or play in the snow with more than enough attraction to keep kids amused.

Once home to the Hilton, Grand Sierra is now one of the finest in Reno with top talent playing shows and concerts, one of the hottest clubs in town, great restaurants, and gambling galore.

One of the higher quality casinos in Reno, Siena sits on the river with a restaurant overlooking the water. This feels like a high end Vegas casino cut down to half the size. Expect smaller crowds and much more relaxing stay.

Take the local advertising for what it's worth, Peppermill goes beyond the call of duty to highlight that it is constantly considered one of the best in the world / country (take your pick). It is good, but not a top ten, of which I can easily list: Palms, Belagio, Venetian, New York New York, Wynn, MGM, Luxor, Mirage, Caesars Palace, Hooters (okay, so not the last one, just seeing if you were paying attention). This is perhaps the best in Reno though Silver Legacy and Grand Sierra rival. Entertainment is good and restaurants decent.

This place just feels like a Reno casino (ok, I'm stereotyping). Most enter through a smoky overpass from the parking lot to the casino. The lights are dimly lit, accented with neon purple, pink, blue and red. The place is nice enough, one of the nicer casinos in the Reno / Tahoe area, it seems to cater to the locals.

This newer casino rivals those found in Vegas and stands as one of the best attraction in the Reno / Tahoe area. Ammeninities are great and service exceptional. The bars and restaurants found here are some of the finest in town

Circus Circus in Reno is right on their version of the strip so you have convenient access to much more. That said, it is furthest from the river and the urban renewal taking place at the other end; not far, just a longer walk to enjoy the new restaurants, water front, and concerts they tend to have during the summer months. The casino is fine but they, like the Circus Circus in Las Vegas, could really use some cleanup.

The place to be on St. Patrick's day but really any time you are in the mood for some Irish craic. There are so few decent Irish Pubs around that this is worth even a 15 mile trek for a better happy hour. Guinness is on tap and Whiskey's flowing.

The staff here is warm and friendly, as though you are eating with them at home. Food is served buffet style yet remains exceptional in every way. Point off only as the quality of the establishment could use a remodel.

His Guide on eBay is a must have

Was noticeably disappointed when I saw him perform at a concert in Michigan. It just felt like a low budget show for tickets that cost more than they should. It was fun to see him perform some best known hits but the videos and singing along with the jokes are really what make Weird Al entertaining.

Don't let that hold you against it; this is a really nice aquarium. It is smaller than it should be and a little disappointing in its focus on the Bay Area (which tends to be dark and dreary) but this is one of the nicer, less commercial attractions at the Wharf.

Happy Hollow Zoo is one of the best destinations in the south bay for families. Get the membership card as you'll get discounts and free entry to dozens of surprising places around the peninsula (free entry to Oakland Zoo). The zoo is being remodeled and only half done, is on track to rival some of the best in the country. The park and playgrounds are where Happy Hollow takes a point on my stars, it is old and in need of serious redesign.

One of the best in the country. The real estate is compact enough that you don't have to walk alot to see everything yet expansive enough to have some major attractions (elephants, giraffes, bats, etc.)
The children's zoo is just remarkable, newly remodeled with animal appropriate interactions, toys, and attractions intermingled with the animals. The property is very well kept and designed with African styled buildings and restaurants. Outside, a small carnival like fair features rides, a train, a small roller coaster, and other fun things for kids to do without having to go IN the Zoo.
5 stars!! Okay... so why'd I only give it 4.5? It is still a work in progress and... no lions :(

What was the name of it? That was perhaps the one time I've seen Rosie that I wasn't annoyed by her; even there she was annoying, just not as a person but the character. Honstestly, I think she has some of the insulting qualities of Rosanne Barr mixed with far left (politically) opinions that aren't always right for audiences. She comes across as having that celebrity entitlement attitude (which is certainly undeserved) and I just can't see how people are enamored with her.

Ah! League of Their Own (right?)

I'm not sure, Christian Bale has a few stellar performances but has this aura of cockiness about him that just rubs me wrong. Batman Begins, Empire of the Sun and 3:10 to Yuma were all great performances but his smirk drives me nuts!

Always felt he was somewhere else in his mind and not really playing the character so much as being there. He impressed me in 3:10 to Yuma so here's to more from Fonda like that!

Russell Crowe always manages to engage my attention and never fails to fully commit himself to a role. In 3:10 to Yuma, which I felt was a movie with a terrible ending, Crowe delivers an impeccable performance as outlaw Ben Wade until he gains a conscience and buys into Christian Bale's sob story; though stuck with a terrible change in the character, (not unlike DeNiro's Stardust pirate, Russell pulls it off with style. The only film I didn't care for was L.A. Confidential, again not the fault of Crowe's and, of course, A Beautiful Mind was a beautiful performance.

Come on.... bad guy Ben Wade is emotionally stirred to send himself to the gallows by Christian Bale's Dan Evans' moving story about how he can't reveal the truth of his lost leg to his sons??! I don't want to ruin the end for folks either but really??? To that point this was a great film, Russell Crowe delivers another stellar performance matched by Bale; Peter Fonda and a few other 'somewhat knowns' round out a great cast. The one thing about movies that always aggravates me, they have to maintain the illusion of plausibility (Smallville, you can't have Superman's ears bleed when the banshee chick screams really loud: Superman's ears aren't weaker than the rest of him); the wrap up of 3:10 to Yuma jumps the track.

I could have spent days here but unfortunately had only hours available. The rich history is what attracts me, more than the spectacular art; the opportunity to experience works hundreds of years old while watching the talent and method evolve through the ages and cultures.

Pharmaca is a great pharmacy. Yes, it's that good that I'm writing a review. They have hard to find stuff, common products, and holistic treatments that make you just want to browse. Massages available.

Decent food with chicken sandwiches and good burgers. A little overwhelming with all the shtick on the walls but that just makes it a good choice for families and kids.

And his brilliance
I've seen him now in The Last Samurai, Batman Begins, and Letters and have yet to be disappointed. He seems passionate about his roles and just embodies the character. Can't wait to see him again.

Eastwood misses the emotion that Saving Private Ryan found exists in war and this comes across as almost melodramatic, at least with the drawn moments that hearken to the war movies of the mid-twentieth century (it feels strange to refer to the last century). This was a good movie but missed being spectacular.

She's done far better from that tough beginning and I'm glad for her. She's never come across as a mega-celebrity star yet has the resume to do so. Michelle always plays a role with her best and I've never been disappointed... well... that meager beginning... and now that I think of it... Stardust *shudder* I hope that doesn't cap the beginning and end of a career with bad movies.

Alright so FAO Schwartz has got something but that is really just for kids. Talbot's is a family owned establishment that has figured out how to package and present toys so well that you could spend hours here. They have everything you might want for babies, little kids, big kids, and adults. More car seats and strollers than I've ever seen in one place. The best bike shop in the Bay Area. Sections dedicated to dolls, trains, models, and sports. And more popular, common toys so well organized in sections that you can't help but roam the entire store just to reminisce and draft a Christmas list in your head. They need to do more advertising, I spent weeks looking for bicycle accessories that they had available by the dozens.

A stellar actor just brilliant in Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Cape Fear, and many others but then came Stardust... its not the part he played that disappointed me but how he played the role. It just wasn't believable and it could have been hilarious if the gag was pulled off better. I'm sorry to say De Niro, I miss you.

I was a huge fan of Romeo & Juliet yet I believe this was one of Claire and Leonardo's shining moments (and admittedly the acting wasn't that great, I just loved the twist on the story). Since then she has had some great moments but she has this valley girl/hippie chick thing going that just doesn't work for me. Don't get me wrong, she is neither valley girl nor hippie chick but there is some of that stereotype that seems to come through now and again. Stardust, not bad... I was really disappointed in the movie but she played the part well.

Found in Hillsdale Mall, this CPK is one of the nicer of the restaurants. Food is what you expect from this pizza chain and the quality is much better than what you get in the frozen food section of your store. Try the new Jamaican Pizza, very good!

CPK is well known for their Thai or BBQ Chicken Pizzas. They've just introduced a Jamaican Pizza which is quite good. You have to eat at the restaurant and not the frozen pizzas you can buy now to really get the quality. Drawback with this one is it feels more like a chain restaurant and less like a nicer establishment. Location is good, right off University Ave. Worth it for lunch or a quick dinner.

I was pleasantly surprised and disappointed at the same time. I went expecting a nicer, quiet dinner and found an excellent menu and great service but an experience with no more than 15 tables almost on top of one another. Don't get me wrong, you don't feel like you are eating next to someone else but this isn't quiet white table cloth dining. Come for some eclectic Spanish dining and leave satisfied!

I arrived expecting your average chain restaurant fare but dining here is surprisingly good. They favor the grease and cheese you get in the midwest but have healthier alternatives available as sides. Dining is separate from the games in a room segmented by the bar and pool tables (classy tables). Games here are decidedly adult or for older children: lots of guns, cars, and simulators. Carnival style games seem to be supplied by Casinos; everything is play to win by chance (doesn't seem legal). Would be nice if they had pinball machines, little kid basketball shooters, or a separate section entirely so you don't feel like you are dragging your kids through a Vegas casino but for adults this place is top notch! Great for business parties.

Neo Soul is in the part of San Mateo going through a slow redevelopment. A few of the surrounding places look like they need to be boarded up but the street is dotted equally with great restaurants and trendy spots. Neo Soul is one of those.

With ethnic art adorning the walls and everything from soul to gospel and blues piping through the speakers, the restaurant is surprisingly elegant with impeccable service.

Makes me crave some grits and sweet tea

Pebble Beach not only sits on the splendor of the Pacific coast but lies within the beautiful Monterey Bay and world famous 17-mile drive making a round of golf truly a destination. The associated resort is impeccable and weather always seems to favor the golfer hits the links at Pebble.

Parcel 104 is an outstanding restaurant and I should be shot for making my prominent title to this review a criticism. The wine menu is good, desserts outstanding, service impeccable, and food savory. Its the quality of the steak, not the taste, that was a shade disappointing; that is, we're not talking your N9ne Steakhouse piece of beef but it is still a good cut prepared exceptionally. Atmosphere is so nice that you shouldn't let the fact that this is located in the Marriott scare you away; Parcel 104 is perfect for entertaining, dinner with a group, or a date.

Great for happy hour and crowds (work related). Food is average but chain-like. Service is pretty good. Comparable to Chevy's or Left at Albuquerque's

Great place to stay with excellent service and very nice restaurants worth dining at even if you aren't staying here.
Wonderful choice as a venue for conferences, seminars, and business events. Close to fun silicon valley icons like Yahoo!

And still reigning as queen. Madonna is the only pop star that hasn't lost her mind (though one could argue she's come close) and who's talent and voice remains exceptional today. She was the first to truly reinvent herself to remain interesting and attractive and her crossover to acting was moderately successful. Would love to catch her live.

Not sure why anyone is
Frankly too, he performs on film rather than acting. He's like a method actor that can't get in to any role but himself.

No stars of Hoffman for that poor showing. Not one of his films has been a disappointment (okay... maybe Mad City but that might have been Travolta's fault right?) His impersonation work is engrossing (Hook, Rain Main) and presence on film indisputable. Aha! one star off for Meet the Fockers... funny film but I couldn't stand watching him in that role.

is "eulogistic" even a word or did I just make it up? Billy Crystal is a great comedian, actor, impromptu speaker, impersonator, and improvisational performer. He wasn't asked to host the Oscars repeatedly because of his stage presence (wait... yes he was). I'd love to see him in more movies and think he should get back on stage with a world tour.

As an actor I feel like he is too staged, as though he is performing rather than being real. His comedy however is insightful, witty, and hilarious! 5 stars with a half point off for the repeated reruns of Seinfeld.

I'll admit, the remake with Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott was disappointing but casting Burt Reynolds, Willie Nelson, and Jessica as Boss Hogg, Uncle Jesse, and Daisy respectively was a stroke of genius which alone justifies the film.

Heath Ledger was found dead this morning in his New York residence. Ang Lee who directed the 2005 drama film "Brokeback Mountain" hailed Ledger's performance as 'a "miracle" of acting, reminiscent of a young Marlon Brando.' Personally, we lost a good entertainer who was fun to watch in otherwise satisfactory films such as 'The Brothers Grimm' and 'A Knight's Tale'

I sat outside the restaurant on what you'd call the patio (though indoors and on the "Studio Walk"). The food was decent, not exceptional. Drinks were good. It is the atmosphere that I'm disappointed with though, like I said, I wasn't inside. If you go, don't sit on outside as you're left watching the scenery of the stores and pedestrians. Smoking is more apparent out there. Inside seems like a good time. Service was ok.

Straits Cafe in Palo Alto is a hip yet quiet dinner spot, perfect for a business lunch or romantic dinner. At Santana Row, the owner went for the trendier atmosphere playing loud music to support a large bar. I wouldn't criticize so much but the food suffers; to be fair, I shouldn't draw a conclusion that different atmosphere = worse food but that's the case. If you've been to Sino, just down the street at Santana Row, you'd swear Straits was trying to compete. The live music is a nice touch but I really wish they'd stick with the style that works up the peninsula.

Points off for restaurant selections but back on for variety of businesses and dining choices. Unlike some parts of the peninsula (Palo Alto) Campbell isn't lined with Thai, Italian, or Mexican but has a little of everything. A short walk from the light rail.

Convenient to be sure as the Monorail now drops you off right in the parking lot but the Las Vegas Convention Center at the Hilton is so large that I'm wary of conference held here for their being spread out across acres of real estate. Great facility though and close enough to the strip that staying anywhere means a $10 cab ride at most.

Awesome in concert as his songs (and those of Train) are engaging, emotional, and entertaining. I caught him live at Verrado in Buckeye, AZ at an intimate concert.

But has his ups and downs. I'm not a fan of when he plays a hardass but he's great in authoritative, high profile leading roles.

Even enjoyed Waterworld and always get a kick out of seeing him at the AT&T Pro Am in Pebble Beach!

That about sums it up. The food is filling and above average. Beers are good and they have TVs throughout the bar so you can catch a game from just about anywhere in the restaurant. Prices are reasonable, what you'd expect from a place like this.

And for good reason, the breakfasts with great pancakes and omelettes are outstanding! Points off though for exceptional waits to get in and a crowded feeling once seated; be prepared.

Fun atmosphere at this chain of restaurants. Good choice for happy hour as the margaritas are top notch. Prices are reasonable (think Chilis, Fridays, Bennigans) and service is what you'd expect from that class of restaurant.

Tandoori is a wonderful chain with high quality and exceptional taste and atmosphere. The food is great for dining in or take out and the prices are reasonable.

The food selections are limited but very healthy with salads and panini sandwiches. The smoothies are outstanding and it is only the atmosphere of the place that causes me to pull a point from my score; it feels a little cold and uninviting.

Sonoma has a small brewery on one side making this a better choice for a happy hour with some beers and a game than restaurant but don't get me wrong, the food is just fine. Think of dining at Sonoma as fast food crossed with a sit down experience. You order from a counter with food ordered called out for you to retrieve. You sit though at nicer tables with ongoing bus service to clear the table and wait on you to some extent. The food is average and somewhat healthy but they tend to use butter like it is the sauce of choice. Great choice for families and kids.

The half point deduction is only for the cost. Trevese is outstanding in every way! The bar is trendy yet comfortable with excellent service and top shelf liquor. The restaurant is a appealing 5 star atmosphere with impeccable wait staff and delectable food. Expect to be served a chef's appetizer gratis. Located in a remodeled home, the location is deceiving but no less remarkable as the turn of the century house has been tastefully and lovingly restored to match the quality of the food and service inside.

More than anything you have to know what to expect from Buca. The restaurant is family style with elaborately decorated walls adorned with tasteful and tacky Italian art and photos. You can tour the kitchen and should expect a loud dining experience. Buca di Beppo is not where you should go for a professional or romantic dinner; it is where you should go with friends, family, or coworkers looking for some fun in a unique environment.

High quality, great taste, and the clean quality you've come to expect from American chains. Baja Fresh is just outstanding and beats Taco Bell, Dell Taco, Chevy's, frankly any Mexican restaurant.

I just can't get over the similarity between Nick Cage and Shatner. Don't think of the Star Trek Shatner, think of the spoof you always see of Shatner done by comedians and skits. The overly melodramatic guy who seems to pose instead of acting normal. That is Nicolas Cage. I've just seen him in National Treasure 2 (Book of Secrets) and Next and in both films I could freeze any scene of Nicks and make a movie poster out of it. I'm sorry I just can't say I've seen him in anything that impressed me.

What a disappointment! Like the first, I was hopeful for an exciting twist on American history reminiscent of Da Vinci Code (the book, not the movie). Instead we're left with a modest mystery adventure in which the characters solve both the inanely boring, remedial clues and the ridiculously impossible making this one of those films where you can't suspend logic to believe the magic. I was most frustrated by a random dinner meeting the (ex)wife has with Ben Gates nemesis early in the film leading you to believe she is in cahoots with him and leaving a pit in your stomach through the rest of the film waiting for her to turn on Ben; instead she remains true to our hero while we're left without an explanation for why she even met/knew the Ed Harris character.

It is a worthwhile rental but don't shell out for movie tickets.

A little expensive with poor in store service, Mountain Mike's is a pizza place that reminds me of Pizza Hut in the eighties. Great for crowds but just as frequently empty.

Los Gatos doesn't have as many quality, unique restaurants as you might find on the rest of the peninsula but this fits the bill. An excellent wine menu complements good food, reasonable prices, and great atmosphere. Viva is a top choice for happy hour or dinner with friends or loved ones.

Modern equipment and room for basketball courts, tennis courts, pools, aerobic rooms, and a few weight rooms. The place could stand to be remodeled but it is a Y

Part of the original North Beach Pizza in San Francisco. Reasonably priced and great pies.

Great irish pub upstairs with Guinness on tap and Whiskey flowing. Top 40 music and crowds almost every night. Downstairs Kells turns into a nightclub with hip hop, dance, and party music with the crowd just as hot and taken care of by a separate bar.

Great pizza, good prices, and atmosphere like you'd expect

Pros: Good scene for a pizza place, great food

Cons: Not the BEST pizza in town, but close

One corner of "the triangle" where 'cougars' meet the young and impressionable.
Some people love that crowd but I can't rate it highly. It is stuffy, snobby & expensive but the food is decent. If you are looking for the desperate crowd on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, come on down.

Pros: Easy to get picked up, good food

Cons: Easy to get picked up, expensive

Times may have changed but it used to be that Thursday night at the Vine was the place to be. I did go back a few years ago and they had mistakenly turned it into hip hop night; years ago it was karaoke and the place was packed with people.
As a restaurant? I'd pass but as a bar, this is your run of the mill college pub.

I'm not sure the folks at Icing On The Cake would appreciate that image in your mind related to their outstanding bakery but that's exactly what happens to me just thinking about their cupcakes. I've been to a 'world famous' cupcake place in New York City; a place where local celebrities like Matthew Broderick can be seen... this bakery , in quaint little Los Gatos, California, puts all others to shame. The cakes are solid, heavy, and creamy, while the cookies are rich and thick. They have baked goods for puppies and various odds and ends for your home but it is the delicious cupcakes that keep me going back every weekend for a treat with my family. Need something with more oomf? They even sell "shots" of their heavenly frosting so you can skip the baked good and go right to the sugar.

Tilt your head back and drool.

Harry's has been a local favorite since the sixties and the restaurant retains the atmosphere to prove it. The walls are lined with signed celebrity photos, fans who have dined here. The food is above average for what you'd expect to find in a diner making this the best place in La Jolla for a good old American breakfast.

Sammy's has won numerous local awards for its great cuisine and inviting style. The location is a convenient walk from anywhere in south La Jolla and the place is great for kids, a business lunch, or romantic dinner date.

This is one of those brewery's that can't make up its mind. The restaurant is a very nice attempt at fine dining in Mountain View with great food and a wonderful patio but the bar dominates the space and takes away from the atmosphere.

Avoid the lunch rush during the school year as nearby Palo Alto High School hits Kirks like it is the only place around. For good reason too, they have some of the best hamburgers in the area. Points off for their desperate need of a remodeling.

The chinese here is really outstanding but it is the prices that gave me heart attack (in a good way). With lunch meals from $5 this place is a hidden gem attracting an 'insider' crowd who has heard of Little Shanghai only through the grapevine. Service is average and the place is in need of a remodeling but don't let that keep you away.

The exterior is in need of remodeling as this looks like your run of the mill Chinese place but China Chef's repeated local awards are well earned with impeccable service and great food.

One thing La Jolla lacks are nicer casual restaurants. Packed with expensive 5 star options for the wealthier population, you've got the high end covered while a few fast food joints, great breakfast spots, and cheap Mexican restaurants are around for a quick bite. Walking down Gerard or Pearl Ave though you won't find that middle of the road, fun family joint that is reasonably priced with good food. That is, except for a side trip a half a block off the main drag to find the Hard Rock. This place is well designed and the food doesn't fail to deliver. Enjoy the rock and roll memorabilia and music before heading back to the beach.

Wonderful decor inside and a great location for a patio with a glimpse of the park and ocean. That's about all I can praise here. The food is acceptable but presented as fine food driving up the cost and reducing the portions. Pay $17 for a chicken dish and get a half of a chicken patty with a scoop of rice and sauce. This might be great for a romantic dinner but I'm terribly disappointed as La Jolla needs some nicer, inexpensive places you would expect to get from a good Thai place.

His early hip-hop and rap was heavily influential and remains an example of how entertainment can reflect reality without the negativity, stereotypes, and language. Will Smith is one of the most successful movie stars with audiences flocking to questionable movies such as I Am Legend in droves just to see Smith. His appeal? A great sense of humor, humility and humanity that makes him jump off the screen to come across as your best friend next door who happens to fight aliens, laugh with the best, and sing and dance better than you.

Great new stadium on the west side of Phoenix brings it closer to Buckeye, Litchfield, and the end of town going through tremendous development. Brings them a little further from Tempe, Scottsdale, etc. but the surrounding development, and Cardinals' stadium, makes the Coyotes one of the best teams in Arizona.

Curries are great and portions are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

The rooms are a little spread out making medium conferences feel empty as attendees are spread around the real estate but this is the perfect place for large or small events with close proximity to hotels, travel, dining, and entertainment.

It is like more like an english pub than what you'd expect to find in Ireland but the bar is a respectable place for a Guinness.

Maggiano's is like a step up from Buca di Beppo. Italian family style restaurant that is great for large groups, families, and fun. The pasta's are enormous while other dishes could serve 2 comfortably. The food is great and atmosphere probably best summarized as a little nicer than Buca. The catch is this place is always packed with long waits for dinner and a bar filled with patrons on the wait list. Go early!

Sure I could write it off as holiday shopping tension but the employees are rude and lazy (if you can find one). Finally locating one alone at a register, I'm told by him that he can't help, "busy"
Even the store "director" was flustered and insensitive to a few customers. Sure, I could write it off as holiday tension but the place wasn't even crowded.

This is a new store in Mountain View (it is in Mountain View isn't it?? Not Los Altos) and it is a welcome addition. The groceries are great and the few classes I've participated are fun.

The food is atrocious. Ideal is a greasy, californian/mexican/seafood/ breakfast/bar/steak house place that tries to be all things to all people and fails at being any good at any of them. They have a cheap prime rib night reminding me of Ponderosa or Sizzler. During the summer, the bar outside is popular with karaoke and drinks. The best thing (only thing?) going for Ideal is the patio seating on the beach near the dozen or so volleyball courts that always draw a crowd. Great people watching and drinks make this the place to just hang out in the sun but skip the meal.

It surprises me that PF Changs draws such a crowd in a part of the world with so many restaurants one can avoid the chains. Of no surprise are the lines and waits in Phoenix, AZ or some other new metropolis without choice. It is, what it is. The food tends to be good and the atmosphere entertaining. This is ok for a nice dinner if you avoid the crowd by coming early or late. They have a new dish, a spicy chicken that rates their best on my list as the Kung Pao is lightly fried and not as fresh tasting and healthy as I'd like. Now prevalent lettuce wraps were practically invented here but in recent years they ruined them changing from a mountain of chicken to a pile supplemented with mushrooms. With all my criticism you'd think my 4 star is unfounded... I'm keeping the good parts a secret.

Whether written by or just sung by, the Web 2.0 Bubble Burst video is the best parody song of the year. These guys are hilarious.