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On the go doesn't have to equate to fast food. The other day, while pressed for time, I popped into Cafe Soulstice (inside the upper echelon Equinox Gym) and grabbed a smoothie. I wish I had hzd more time to taste some of the other great-sounding items on their uber-healthy menu, but since they are open to the public, I can go back and do just that. I'm not a member there, but it's a great alternative to skipping a meal or worse, eating some of the crap that may be cheap on the fly, but murder on your health. Do your body a favor and give it something good to eat at Cafe Soulstice.
If anyone out there is looking for a realtor, I would highly recommend Alan Canas. He recently helped me buy my first home in Pacifica in September. Alan recognizes the importance of time and commitment. His response to email is literally within minutes and he always returns your phone calls. Alan and I looked at numerous properties and at no time did I feel pressured or pushed to make an offer. I have heard horror stories with other realtors trying to force people into a house. My sister even had to fire 3 realtors before finding the right agent. Working with Alan, I didn't have to worry about those situations. Alan will be there supporting you from beginning to end. Even after getting my keys, Alan still checks in to see if I need anything else. I know for a fact, Alan will be a premier realtor because unlike other realtors, he loves helping others for the right reasons. He is not there just to make a quick buck. He is there to build relationships and help you get into your dream home. I would definitely use Alan again.
Mike Wong
My partner and I bought a home with Alan as our buyer's agent in December 2008. We specifically picked Alan because he listens, is thorough, and has a knack for negotiating. We simply felt comfortable with him, and trusted his motivations and judgments.
He is a sincere agent, that is responsive and patient. He got a great home at a great price.
Boudreau Plumbing is the best. We had a broken garbage disposal, Paul came that same day, on time, and fixed the problem within five minutes. He is pleasant, efficient, and very knowledgable about all things concerning plumbing (and soccer).
This local San Carlos lighting store has some of the most unique hand made lighting I've ever seen. A number of their original designs are based on very organic elements crafted out of metal. I guess they have their own manufacture that produces their designs in Europe for them. The prices are amazingly reasonable. Worth checking out of you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.
While everyone else was recovering from the weekend bowl games, I enjoyed a nice meal out with some friends at the Bistro. It wasn't very crowded so we were able to actually hold an audible conversation (usually the tables are a bit too close). The food, as usual, was solid. One of the steaks we had was a bit dry, but the perfect wine pairing saved the day. Good service, especially because a "slow" evening customer-wise usually means overbearing waitstaff.
I had the opportunity to meet the owner of The Great Frame Up at a chamber mixer. I was immediately impressed with his friendly and amiable personality. It was well obvious that this gentleman was a standup professional.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to start cooking at home more. No more going out every night to eat. One thing that takes the joy out of cooking is that I had a lousy collection of dull knives to work with. I decided to stop in here to get one of my old knives sharpened but ended up getting a new knife thanks to their knowledgeable staff and great selection. And I can't believe how this sharp new knife makes all the chopping and slicing seem almost effortless. Makes me wish I had done something about this sooner.
I was referred by a friend to Paige. I loved this Salon and my hair! I saw Paige and she was great! I had my color "fixed" and the bob she gave me turned out SO cute!
This is not your typical jewelry store. Although they have what you'd typically expect: a great selection of beautiful rings, necklaces, etc., a knowledgeable staff who can expertly guide you through the selection process, and a range of styles and options to fit your budget. What makes them different is that they're not stuffy or unapproachable. They actually seems to have fun, like each other and make you feel very comfortable with asking questions and never feel like there's pressure to decide or purchase. That's what makes it so fun to shop here.
Sometimes a meal can be made just but the service you receive. Our party of 4 came in for dinner the other night to Kuletos and our waiter Vinnie made the meal all the more enjoyable by being friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive without being overly intrusive. We never had to wait on anything, glasses were always refilled, we were informed when the entrees would be out and he offered some great suggestions about the menu. It's great to have this local forum to highlight this positive experience and let others know where to find good service that tends to be the exception rather than the norm.
I was once put off by a non-caring person answering the phone. I called back the next day and Mr. Yelnick himself answered the phone. He told me about sections of the law that other attorneys had no clue on. The information he supplied during our consultation was worth many times what I paid for it. At the end, when I mentioned about a curt person who answered the phone, Mr. Yelnick told me he had a temp for two days, but when he overheard some impolite talk, he did not have the person back, preferring to answer his own phone until his assistant recovered.
Sometimes it's best to move beyond the typical basic and cheap IKEA frame and bring your treasured artwork to a professional to really make it a thing of beauty. Frame selection and choosing the right mat size and color can be a bit overwhelming, but the staff here is extremely knowledgeable and really can give you interesting options to consider that will not only match the look and feel of your room and artwork, but also your budget. Thay also have a great selection of frames and mats to choose from.
A rare breed these days. I am a contract legal assistant and have had the privelege to work Stevan. I have had to bend his ear many times and he has the patience of a saint.
I'm from Burlingame High School, most of my friends recommended me to GOLDEN STARS DRIVING SCHOOL. At first I did not understand too much of driver education because I took driver ED.
on line and my first lesson was not good. My lessons geting so much better when my instructor explained the SAFE DRIVING PRACICES: know what is ahead, don't be a tailgater, know what is at your side and know what is behind you. I learned so much. Thanks to the Instructor that he tried to save my life. I am a very good driver now.
This place has a nice showroom with a large selection of flooring options. I went in looking for some darker walnut flooring but found out that there were more options than I had imagined. They even had a number of greener floor covering choices like cork and some new materials and options for flooring that I wasn't even aware of. It can be a bit overwhelming but the owner was helpful in pulling samples and explaining the alternatives. I'm now considering all the options, but this was a good place to start.
Gator Games is a great little local game store with a big selection of all kinds of games. Card games, board games galore! They carry familiar brand names along with lesser know games and some imported form Europe. They have a large selection of games targeted to younger kids along with those for teens to adults. And the staff is great for making recommendations so if you're looking for a new game but don't know what you want, they'll probably be able to suggest something great for your next game night. They're also conveniently located next door to The Paw Spa Salon
I've just completed my therapy after a hip arthroscopy with micro-fracture and have very much appreciated the professional services provided. My team consisted of Dave and Robin who were excellent. I have to give a shout out to Tony, Jenn, John, Laura, Jenn 2, Ally and new arrival Janie. When thay had to pitch in for coverage it was seamless and they are all customer service oriented and very sensitive to your needs as you progress though your therapy.
This place is off the beaten path but just a block or two off the main San Mateo downtown area. They have an interesting mix of unusual items for sale. It’s basically an antique store with what looks like some newer stuff thrown in. And the owner must have a good eye for collecting the unique and intriguing because I’m always able to find something out of the ordinary here. I’ve gotten quite a few gifts here which always stand out, with the recipients always commenting on how individually unique they are. Overall a fun place to shop
It’s nice to have an antique store right downtown. When I’m dining downtown it’s always fun to cruise through this place afterwards and see all the interesting items they have for sale. Its huge inside with an upper floor above the main lower floor you see from the street. There’s a collection of different dealers inside so there’s a nice mix of furniture, art and home furnishings. Always a treat to take a step back in time and see the beautiful and intriguing things that are waiting here to discover.
I originally found this place because they are right next to my bank. I noticed there was always a group of people outside waiting to. Seems this place is always busy at lunch time and once you’ve dined here you’ll know why. They have some great lunch specials that are easy on the pocket book but are massive amounts of food. My favorite is the #1 special. A big bowl of soba or udon noodles and broth, your choice of main dish (I like the chicken teriyaki) and then you choice of a second sidedish (I get the California roll), all served with a side salad and an orange slice. Be prepared to come early of wait a bit at the height of the noon time rush, like I said they’re always busy at lunch.
Sometimes I have a craving for pizza and nothing else will do, but pizza isn’t the best diet choice and with my lack of will power ordering a whole pizza is out of the question. That’s why I love Pizza My Heart. I can stop in and get one or two all veggie slices and be totally satisfied and happy and not completely destroy my diet. They have a great selection of pies and it takes but a moment to have them warm it up and you’re set to go. And if you use their frequent diner cards you’ll be rewarded with free slices and sodas and salads once you’ve racked up enough stamps on your card. What could be better than that? And you can walk across the street to Central Park and walk a few of those calories off right then and there.
This is my default place to find art supplies or to pick up craft projects for the kids to keep them entertained on rainy days. They have a wide selection of just about anything the kids might need to create their next hand-crafted masterpiece. Even walking the isles can be inspiring. And there are usually some good bargains or sales to be had if you look. Sometimes the lines can be a little slow but I’ve always been less frustrated here than trying to get help at the local Aaron Brothers downtown.
I love the old neon outside Palm Avenue Liquors, at least that’s what first motivated me to step inside and check it out. I’m happy to report that inside you’ll find a great selection of snack and beverages and beers and wine. And the family that owns the place are nice people. The shop has a great history in San Mateo and is definitely worth supporting. It’s the way you keep the charm and feel of old San Mateo intact is to patronize these types of family run businesses.
This place is situated right downtown on B Street and carries a great selection of snack foods and drinks. Its quick to stop by in the afternoon after lunch and grab some caffeine and sugar to get me through the post lunch lull. Glad so see there's still a little neighborhood place to get these essential mid day ingredients.
This is my favorite Indian lunch spot in SM. The food is always fresh and never sits in the serving platters too long. I'm a big fan of their tandori chicken which really has a fantastic clay oven flavor. It's never as crowded as the other, local Indian places. Most likely this is because it's kind of off the beaten path for a downtown SM restaurant. Try it out!
I grabbed one of the pre-made chicken bistro chicken salads for lunch today and the mixed greens were really sad. They were so wilted and knarly, it was impossible for me to eat the salad. Draegers is known for it's high quality produce, so I was very surprised. My advice is to check carefully before you buy.
We had contacted Jim to train our dogs. He came one time after we paid him a 90.00 deposit. He then wanted to be paid up front for the rest of the training. We did. We did not receive any follow up nor a training schedule. We paid a total of 595.00 and did not hear from him after repeated calls and emails. Finally he returned an email after two months and said sorry he failed us and still has not returned the money.
You never know what to expect upon a first time visit to a Sushi restaurant. I guess I always think about it more than other restaurants because it's imperative that your local sushi place serve up only the best. I mean, you are required to have a little faith when the food you're eating is raw :-) I'm happy to report that Kaigan Sushi serves up fresh delicious sushi with pride and care and are generous with their portions. The restaurant is roomy and comfortable and they have some Tatami Mat rooms for dinning for larger parties. Kaigan is worth putting your faith in.
It's been around for so long that I often forget about what a great restaurant The Fish Market is. The off the beaten path location makes it easy to forget sometimes, too. But every time I go there I remember why I enjoy it so much: friendly, attentive, down-to-earth service... good fresh fish served simply... lots of healthy options... and reasonable prices. I know they have more than one location, but they sure feel like a family run business. Last night I tried something new: a Thai grill with scallops and shrimp. Not super fancy, but delicious and reasonable.
It's nice to walk into a place and have them remember your name and coffee order. It makes you feel like they care and that's just the feeling you get when you step into Bean Street Coffee. They make a great Mocha and unfortunately have an array of treats to temp me into combining my coffee with an additional sugar rush. Even if their coffee was only decent I would return for the service alone. fortunately both are superior. Just what a local owned coffee shop should be. I would encourage you to give them your business too.
I received an engraved bottle of wine this year from a friend (engraved by Fireside Laser) and thought it was a unique and thoughtful gift. It got me thinking that this would be a great New Years gift. To bring engraved wine glasses to the party hosts. Hopefully I'll get my act together in time but even if I don't I'll have this idea to fall back on for future gift giving. I guess I didn't realize how affordable engraving could be.
My company hosted a small gathering here recently and it was great! Nice intimate setting which was low key with the ability to sit and sip wine and converse comfortably with my coworkers. They also offer a beautiful tray of artisan meats, cheese and crackers as appetizers to snack on.
They have a cool "self serve" wine machine for sampling wines - just a taste or by the glass. It combines a tasting room, a lounge and a nice wine shop. And the owner and staff make great recommendations for wines to try and buy. Make it a stop on your next night out. Highly recommended!
I was happy when Togos moved to downtown. I’ve never been a Subway fan and it’s nice to have a choice now. The employees are efficient and friendly and you can be in and out quickly so you don’t waste your whole lunch hour waiting in line. And the portions seem to be more generous that what I get at the other sandwich place. A reliable alternative for a quick lunch downtown.
Buyer Beware! This trainer just took our money. Do not call this dog trainer. I hired him to train our two dogs. He charged us 595.00 and came just once. We called and called, sent emails to no avail. Finally, he returned an email 2 months later, apologized for "failing" us. However, he has not returned our money.
I called Spiteri's Complete Auto Service, Inc. and requested whether they could smog check my car within the next two hours. I was on my way from San Francisco to Silicon Valley and had to fit it in my tight schedule. To my delight Mr. Chuck Spiteri accommodated me. During my wait in the lounge various Spiteri team members greeted me, offered me coffee and made me feel real comfortable. At time of payment Mr. Spiteri suggested that I pay the DMV dues online, so that was another chore off my list! Personal service like this is hard to find and I certainly never experienced it at any other smog station. Thank you Team Spiteri's!
What's going on with Original Nick's? Their pizza used to be really great -- and last week I had one and the dough was gummy and seemingly undercooked. Really ruined the whole thing for me. To make things worse, as I was reading my credit card over the phone, the guy was repeating my number. I asked him to please stop saying it out loud -- like what if someone overheard it? Definitely not cool.
At least the bar is a cool place to hang out and watch the games.
great job very sweet and loving to my cocker spaniel
A great place to get an idea of how beautiful your kitchen or bath could be. I found a sweet custom cabinet shop online at customwoodworks.net and because they are remodelling their showroom, they sent me over here. I then found out Dezign Studios uses Custom Woodworks for all their customers wanting custom cabinets. Dezign Studios helped me choose a style, so once I choose a wood type, my new kitchen will be underway! Dezign Studios and Custom Woodworks sure seems to be the best kept secret in Belmont!
Little China Kitchen has become my favorite chinese restaurant in San Mateo. The service is always friendly and great and the atmosphere is comfortable. I highly recommend the spicy calamari appetizer. It's a bit of crunchy, spicy, basil & squid yumminess. I'm also a big fan of the chicken with eggplant with brown rice.
I eat lunch almost every day in downtown San Mateo because I work downtown. Sometimes I just want to grab something light and healthy, so I'm writing to recommend the minestrone soup at Amici's. It's a vegetarian soup with lots of veggies and just a bit of pasta. Tastes good, warms the soul, doesn't cost too much and not too many calories.
I've been using the UPS store on 2nd Ave in San Mateo the last few weeks to ship gifts and other things for work. The gentleman who works there is very friendly and helpful. The store has some supplies for sale, but I primarily go there for the shipping services.
Rebarts Interiors' expertise in window treatments made it easier for me to chose the perfect draperies for my home. The staff there were very professional and accommodating. I highly recommend Rebarts to assist you in finding the perfect fit for your needs, taste, and budget!
I was here the other night and had what can only be described as a blissfully tasty Crustacean. The Crab was not just good it was amazing, you should drop what you are doing, and go there, right now. Trust me you want to have these crabs.
I am newly arrived in UNITED STATE and I need to learn driving and I found yellow pages with BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, there were only few school listed. I choose GOLDEN STARS DRIVING SCHOOL because most of my friends recommended to me.
I learn so much of driver education and defensive driving from the instructor that I can not find from any other books. He known so much about driver education. I am very appreciated his way of teaching. He's not only helping me to pass the DMV test but also driving safely. I would highly recommend him.
I do love pizza and consider myself an expert on the dish. I have been enjoying the "pie's" since I could eat and have come to a very real realization, pizza's are not created equally. I feel that the best is not always the most expensive and the worst can at time be very pricey. Amici's has very good pizza and the quality is good the price can be a bit steep but you get what you pay for. I would choose it over Aldo's and the Round Table for sure but I would say they are equal to Rainbow Pizza.
That is just my opinion...
Fresh Choice is one of the best options for either an individual meal or family outing. Their prices are comparable to any family-style restaurant on the peninsula, and have great deals for kids, too. If you choose to dine in, it's usually a very clean environment. If you're on the run, grab a to-go box, stuff it to the brim, fill up the two soup containers with whatever soup or side dish you like, get bread, dessert, whatever you can get into the containers and take it home, all for one price. You can have a nice, healthy lunch and have the rest at dinner, or split it with someone and be totally fulfilled. For less than $5.00 a person, you just can't beat the quality and price.
My wife and I visited Roti after meeting "Sunny" the owner a few days prior. His bistro came highly recommended and we took the first opportunity we had to indulge in authentic Indian food. Well, I cleaned my plate and almost half of my wife's. Fantastic flavors, food came out hot, welcoming atmosphere, nice staff, clean, and affordable. We can't wait to go back and try dinner!
I have been racking my brain for a month to come up with a gift the will be thoughtful and at the same time have a touch of class. I normally go the gift card route, because it is tried and true, but as the economy suffers so do I. I needed to do something a little different. I was discussing this with David the owner of Fireside Laser Arts.
David suggested that I get a bottle of wine and have him engrave it; I thought that the idea was awesome, but could I afford it. Yes, the cost was less the buying a card for the wine bottle, and they look so great, really great.
I really owe David for saving me, and it is not too late to be saved, you too can take advantage of David’s generosity.
I'm no expert on Chinese food, and wouldn't recognize authentic from non-authentic, but I've always liked Uncle Chen's, in San Mateo, on 43rd. Now I just found out that they not only have a complete vegetarian menu, but they also feature a new online ordering system AND free delivery! Can't ask for much more than that.
My son, a definite non-vegetarian, was completely fooled by the
vegetarian sweet and sour "pork," and really liked it, even when we
told him it wasn't really pork.
Delivery was very fast and friendly, and our order was exactly what we had requested.
-- Mary


