Have you ever gone to Medieval Times or the Pirate dinner show? This is worse. Considering the cost is $45 for the show only, $60 for the Gold level (includes dinner and show) and $90 for the Platinum level (closer to the front show seating and dinner), I don't think this place will be in business for much longer. I usually like to support the local businesses, but this one needs a lot of work. Here are my thoughts on this:
*The principle dancers are pretty good, specifically the males. The chorus dancers need some work. They can be compared to high school level dancers at best. I can't totally blame it on the dancers, but more so on the choreographer and/or the director. They need to build up the dancing as the show goes on and maybe mix up the music a little.
*The best parts of the show were the shadow puppet guy and the ventriliquist. They were pretty entertaining.
*The dinner isn't worth it. The starter is a choice of soup or salad. The salad is advertised as a shrimp salad and only has one shrimp on it. Get the soup, although it is a salty vegetable soup. The entree choices were mahi mahi and chicken. I was cautious and ordered the chicken. Big mistake... it was so dry and was served with cooked carrots (that seemed like they were frozen ones) with potatoes that had no flavor. Dessert was the only good thing as it was a pin wheel cake of some sort.
*The theater felt like they started building it and ran out of money. The stage itself was nice and the lighting was good. The seating area was cheaply done and the waiters serve you on the same level you're siting on... meaning if they are serving, you can't see anything on the stage.
Bottom line is that you should save your money. No amount of alcohol will make you feel like this is worth it.
Have you been to see it? A penny for your thoughts?
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Rock of Ages - National Tour
I have been a musical theater junkie since I was little and my parents took me to see my very first show, Phantom of the Opera. Even though I was only in elementary school at that time, it really fascinated me and to this day I have spent more time and money on theater than concerts. Not that I don't enjoy an occasional concert every now and then, but there is something that the actors do on that stage when they reach you with both their talent and their emotions.
Rock of Ages was a show that David wanted to see since it came out. We didn't end of seeing it during our last trip to New York, so I wanted to make sure he had a chance to see it while they were on tour. They made it down our way and we drove down to the Pantages to see what it was all about. Not the best idea as it turns out.
If you're there to listen to some good rock and roll music, then the performance was fairly decent. They highlighted one of their star performers who happened to be a previous American Idol contestant. The costumes were very appropriate and themed to that time and the sets were pretty decent. Unfortunately that is where my praise ends.
Talk about trying to force a square peg in a round hole. Wait a minute... that doesn't sound right. ;) Let's just say they took a bunch of rock songs from the 70s and 80s and tried to force a storyline around them. It was very cheesy too, but not in the funny way... more of the I want to slap my hand on my forehead kind of cheese. The acting (when they weren't singing) was awful.
So if you're trying to pick a show to see, don't pick this one. Even if you can get the tickets at a discount, it's not really worth it and you'll walk out missing the few hours of your life that you'll never get back. If you're craving some of that good rock music, you're better off listening to your music device of choice.
Rock of Ages was a show that David wanted to see since it came out. We didn't end of seeing it during our last trip to New York, so I wanted to make sure he had a chance to see it while they were on tour. They made it down our way and we drove down to the Pantages to see what it was all about. Not the best idea as it turns out.
If you're there to listen to some good rock and roll music, then the performance was fairly decent. They highlighted one of their star performers who happened to be a previous American Idol contestant. The costumes were very appropriate and themed to that time and the sets were pretty decent. Unfortunately that is where my praise ends.
Talk about trying to force a square peg in a round hole. Wait a minute... that doesn't sound right. ;) Let's just say they took a bunch of rock songs from the 70s and 80s and tried to force a storyline around them. It was very cheesy too, but not in the funny way... more of the I want to slap my hand on my forehead kind of cheese. The acting (when they weren't singing) was awful.
So if you're trying to pick a show to see, don't pick this one. Even if you can get the tickets at a discount, it's not really worth it and you'll walk out missing the few hours of your life that you'll never get back. If you're craving some of that good rock music, you're better off listening to your music device of choice.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Paris Baguette - Cerritos, CA
The Cerritos Center (aka the Cerritos Mall) has really changed over the years. One of its newest additions is Paris Baguette which is located close to the Macy's side of the mall. It's very "clean" looking from the outside meaning it has a crisp feel to it with the windows all across the front and white lights everywhere. It definitely catches your attention compared to the other stores nearby.
It's all about serve yourself! Grab a tray and some tongs and go wild. As I learned, this can be dangerous because you find yourself grabbing anything and everything because it all looks so good. Picture the best Hawaiian or Portuguese sweet bread you've ever had... now put in some tasty fillings like chocolate or cream cheese and you've got Paris Baguette. Do they even make a bad sweet bread or pastry??
Now I haven't tried the sandwiches or the cakes yet... I figured I should save something for my next visit. There is also another location on Artesia Blvd., however I've heard if you order sandwiches there it's based on what they have already made. No bueno.
Have you been to Paris Baguette? A penny for your thoughts?
It's all about serve yourself! Grab a tray and some tongs and go wild. As I learned, this can be dangerous because you find yourself grabbing anything and everything because it all looks so good. Picture the best Hawaiian or Portuguese sweet bread you've ever had... now put in some tasty fillings like chocolate or cream cheese and you've got Paris Baguette. Do they even make a bad sweet bread or pastry??
Now I haven't tried the sandwiches or the cakes yet... I figured I should save something for my next visit. There is also another location on Artesia Blvd., however I've heard if you order sandwiches there it's based on what they have already made. No bueno.
Have you been to Paris Baguette? A penny for your thoughts?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Jimmy Loves - San Diego, CA
I just came back from a fabulous weekend in San Diego with some of my friends. We went down there for the weekend to celebrate my friend Dee Dee's bachelorette party and one thing she really wanted to do was go to Jimmy Loves in the Gaslamp District. I know now why she wanted to go there. Not only was it a pretty decent place for dinner, but it became a really fun place to be at night.
Now mind you, we decided to have a bunch of appetizers and not really pick things from the true dinner menu. I decided to get the shrimp quesadilla which was really yummy! It came with salsa fresca and salsa verde on the side... the verde being one of my favorites. Others in our group ordered the chicken quesadilla, sliders, artichoke dip, chicken lettuce wraps, coconut shrimp, etc. I would recommend trying to go during happy hour so you can order these appetizers at half price (ends at 7pm I believe).
The drinks were average. Expensive and small as usual when you are downtown. Specialty cocktails are around $12 each... not too surprising for me. Our waitress rocked though (her name was Cyn) and she kept the drinks flowing the entire night. At one point she even gave us free drinks since our order was taking so long! If she's working when you visit, make sure to sit in her serving area since she is so awesome!
Do you have a favorite bar you like to go to? A penny for your thoughts?
Now mind you, we decided to have a bunch of appetizers and not really pick things from the true dinner menu. I decided to get the shrimp quesadilla which was really yummy! It came with salsa fresca and salsa verde on the side... the verde being one of my favorites. Others in our group ordered the chicken quesadilla, sliders, artichoke dip, chicken lettuce wraps, coconut shrimp, etc. I would recommend trying to go during happy hour so you can order these appetizers at half price (ends at 7pm I believe).
The drinks were average. Expensive and small as usual when you are downtown. Specialty cocktails are around $12 each... not too surprising for me. Our waitress rocked though (her name was Cyn) and she kept the drinks flowing the entire night. At one point she even gave us free drinks since our order was taking so long! If she's working when you visit, make sure to sit in her serving area since she is so awesome!
Do you have a favorite bar you like to go to? A penny for your thoughts?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Gatten Sushi - Cerritos, CA
If you've ever been to newly renovated shopping center across from the Cerritos Mall, you've probably noticed Gatten Sushi. Let's just say it's hard to ignore sushi moving around a restaurant via conveyor belts... or maybe it's just me since I suffer from SOS... otherwise known as Shiny Object Syndrome. :) I have been to one other place similar to this one, located in Tustin where the 5 and 55 freeways meet, but it has been a while since I've been there. Here are my thoughts on Gatten Sushi:
*It's not the best quality sushi I've ever eaten. Does this mean I wouldn't go back? Actually, it was good enough and the prices were decent enough that I would go back again. Some of the sushi chefs are not even asian, but they do have a lot of spunk and spirit there. It's one of those places where every gets greeted when you enter and you get a friendly thank you and goodbye when you leave. And it's not that the food doesn't taste good, but part of good sushi making is presentation and how well the rolls or individual pieces stay together.
*Yellow plates are $2 each while red plates are $3 each. We didn't end up grabbing too many red plates... not because of price, but more because we didn't necessarily want what was on them. I think our red plates consisted of the edamame and another with shrimp tempura. Awesome pricing and of course we had to finish off the meal with some green tea ice cream. Note to all: I wouldn't recommend the green tea cheesecake. It sounds more exotic/appealing than it actually is. Not worth the $3.
*It's crowded on the weekends. Try eating here on a weekday if you can to avoid the waiting to be seated plus the parking is sometimes difficult due to the nearby Lucille's BBQ. There is parking in the back of this complex, but even then it can get a little hectic driving in this area.
Have you been to a good sushi place? A penny for your thoughts?
*It's not the best quality sushi I've ever eaten. Does this mean I wouldn't go back? Actually, it was good enough and the prices were decent enough that I would go back again. Some of the sushi chefs are not even asian, but they do have a lot of spunk and spirit there. It's one of those places where every gets greeted when you enter and you get a friendly thank you and goodbye when you leave. And it's not that the food doesn't taste good, but part of good sushi making is presentation and how well the rolls or individual pieces stay together.
*Yellow plates are $2 each while red plates are $3 each. We didn't end up grabbing too many red plates... not because of price, but more because we didn't necessarily want what was on them. I think our red plates consisted of the edamame and another with shrimp tempura. Awesome pricing and of course we had to finish off the meal with some green tea ice cream. Note to all: I wouldn't recommend the green tea cheesecake. It sounds more exotic/appealing than it actually is. Not worth the $3.
*It's crowded on the weekends. Try eating here on a weekday if you can to avoid the waiting to be seated plus the parking is sometimes difficult due to the nearby Lucille's BBQ. There is parking in the back of this complex, but even then it can get a little hectic driving in this area.
Have you been to a good sushi place? A penny for your thoughts?
King Kong Experience - Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA
The newly added King Kong experience has been part of the Tram Tour at Universal Studios in Hollywood since last summer and I must say that I have mixed reviews about it replacing the old Kong experience. I had the pleasure of experiencing it one day before it opened to the public and I had to ride it twice to make sure I was able to process everything that was going on during that portion of the tour. It also allowed me to figure out where the best seating is since we all know that seating totally matters when it comes to the tram tour. Here are some of my thoughts about this updated version on the famous giant gorilla:
*Try to sit in either the 2nd or 3rd tram car for the best seating possible. If you're in the 1st or 4th car you tend to see the curves in the screens and miss quite a bit of the action. I don't think I have a preference between the right side or the left side... they both have different experiences so try them both if you want to ride multiple times.
*I miss the old Kong. There was something nostalgic about having a huge animatronic with banana breath that you felt was real (well, at least as a kid he felt pretty real). I'm not trying to knock Peter Jackson's creation, but it just makes the experience feel so computerized that I guess I was expecting something completely different.
*Be prepared for those lovely pop out in your face 3D moments and of course some water effects. We seem to be living in a generation of those types of moments where sometimes it feels a little cheesy and not necessary. If you liked Jackson's version of the movie, you will most likely enjoy this.
If you haven't experienced this yet and want to take a look, check out my video on YouTube listed as "Universal Studios King Kong 360 3D Video"
If you have experienced it, what did you think? A penny for your thoughts?
*Try to sit in either the 2nd or 3rd tram car for the best seating possible. If you're in the 1st or 4th car you tend to see the curves in the screens and miss quite a bit of the action. I don't think I have a preference between the right side or the left side... they both have different experiences so try them both if you want to ride multiple times.
*I miss the old Kong. There was something nostalgic about having a huge animatronic with banana breath that you felt was real (well, at least as a kid he felt pretty real). I'm not trying to knock Peter Jackson's creation, but it just makes the experience feel so computerized that I guess I was expecting something completely different.
*Be prepared for those lovely pop out in your face 3D moments and of course some water effects. We seem to be living in a generation of those types of moments where sometimes it feels a little cheesy and not necessary. If you liked Jackson's version of the movie, you will most likely enjoy this.
If you haven't experienced this yet and want to take a look, check out my video on YouTube listed as "Universal Studios King Kong 360 3D Video"
If you have experienced it, what did you think? A penny for your thoughts?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Body Basics - Lakewood, CA ($5 deals!)
Every now and then you come across a hidden treasure. Yesterday I came across one at the Lakewood Mall called Body Basics. Now at first I thought this store was going out of business, but after talking to the employees, it looks like they are just trying to clear out some old items to get ready for some new items. Ladies, this is a great place to find some bargains! Here are my thoughts:
*$5 bras... enough said. Yes, you heard me correctly... just $5 and there isn't anything weird or cheap (aside from the price) about them. They come in traditional and razor back in multiple colors. I would suggest trying them on to find out which ones fit you best. Some are more padded than others, so make sure to check for the ones you want.
*Panties are 5 for $10. Check them out in the front bin for a variety of types and colors.
*PJ pants and tank tops are reasonable too. They have a variety of sleep wear for those looking for that new comfy and cute outfit.
Have you come across some good shopping deals? A penny for your thoughts?
*$5 bras... enough said. Yes, you heard me correctly... just $5 and there isn't anything weird or cheap (aside from the price) about them. They come in traditional and razor back in multiple colors. I would suggest trying them on to find out which ones fit you best. Some are more padded than others, so make sure to check for the ones you want.
*Panties are 5 for $10. Check them out in the front bin for a variety of types and colors.
*PJ pants and tank tops are reasonable too. They have a variety of sleep wear for those looking for that new comfy and cute outfit.
Have you come across some good shopping deals? A penny for your thoughts?
Monday, January 3, 2011
OC Fair New Year's Eve Block Party - Orange County, CA
For me there is always the debate each New Year's Eve if I want to stay in for a more quiet night or go out to a party. This year David and I decided to go out (since he was working last NYE) and see how the OC Fair's Block Party would turn out. We had an awesome time and I'm so glad we did this! Here are my thoughts on the event:
*They cater to all ages. In each of the buildings they had a 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and millenium stages. There were different cover bands that were pretty good... well except for the one playing Journey music. The Beatles and U2 bands were pretty good.
*Gourmet food trucks were in full force. Nouka, a Greek food truck, had one of the best chicken kabobs with tzatziki sauce. Two thumbs up! The Shrimp Pimp truck was just ok. Their batter was more like funnel cake batter than tempura batter.
*Don't buy your tickets on Ticketmaster. If they do this event again next year (which I hope they will), check out some of the discount sites like Travelzoo to save yourself some money.
What have you done in the past to ring in the new year? What would you recommend or advise to avoid? A penny for your thoughts?
*They cater to all ages. In each of the buildings they had a 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and millenium stages. There were different cover bands that were pretty good... well except for the one playing Journey music. The Beatles and U2 bands were pretty good.
*Gourmet food trucks were in full force. Nouka, a Greek food truck, had one of the best chicken kabobs with tzatziki sauce. Two thumbs up! The Shrimp Pimp truck was just ok. Their batter was more like funnel cake batter than tempura batter.
*Don't buy your tickets on Ticketmaster. If they do this event again next year (which I hope they will), check out some of the discount sites like Travelzoo to save yourself some money.
What have you done in the past to ring in the new year? What would you recommend or advise to avoid? A penny for your thoughts?
The Farm House Restaurant - Beaumont, CA
During my first trip to Beaumont (to visit my friends Erin and Chuck), we visited a family run restaurant called the Farm House Restaurant. The outside looks like a barn and it's located right next to the 10 freeway. The inside decorations are very mismatched, but you can tell that both locals and visitors alike seem to enjoy the comfort food this place has to offer. Here are my thoughts on this eatery:
*If you're on a diet, this is not the place for you. Let's just say that there don't appear to be a lot of low calorie or low fat items on the menu. I say everything in moderation. Enjoy a monte cristo sandwich or breakfast (which they serve all day).
*Support our local businesses. Now I must admit that I do enjoy a lot of chain restaurants, but I would hate to see them gobble up the smaller places. To keep them in business, we need to make sure to eat at these types of places more often!
*Try the home fries (aka breakfast potatoes). You can have hash browns in most places, but not all offer breakfast potatoes. They were pretty good. However, if you don't like green onions, don't order these.
*Just about 10 minutes away are some apple farms too! So if you want to get some nutritious food to your diet after your unhealthy meal, go visit them for some apples and apple products. Apple butter is awesome!
Do you have a favorite mom and pop restaurant? A penny for your thoughts?
*If you're on a diet, this is not the place for you. Let's just say that there don't appear to be a lot of low calorie or low fat items on the menu. I say everything in moderation. Enjoy a monte cristo sandwich or breakfast (which they serve all day).
*Support our local businesses. Now I must admit that I do enjoy a lot of chain restaurants, but I would hate to see them gobble up the smaller places. To keep them in business, we need to make sure to eat at these types of places more often!
*Try the home fries (aka breakfast potatoes). You can have hash browns in most places, but not all offer breakfast potatoes. They were pretty good. However, if you don't like green onions, don't order these.
*Just about 10 minutes away are some apple farms too! So if you want to get some nutritious food to your diet after your unhealthy meal, go visit them for some apples and apple products. Apple butter is awesome!
Do you have a favorite mom and pop restaurant? A penny for your thoughts?
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