Spa Nordstrom

This review is for Spa Nordstrom, not the store in general.  Firstly, there is no manager.  That's a problem going around lately.  Secondly, they are barely accommodating to their guests.

Last year my husband gave me a Spa Nordstrom gift card for Christmas.  I made my appointment, was early and was kept waiting past my scheduled time. I was led into the spa room, given a robe, undressed and then led to a small alcove for a foot soak and a beverage (tea or water).  They put a warm wrap around my neck and shoulders.  Not 3 minutes later, I was whisked out of the chair and back to the spa room.  Not very relaxing.  The massage was good, not the best, but far from the worst I've had.  A 3 star massage.  Afterwards, I wanted a quick shower to rinse off the oil so I wasn't a greasy mess in the store and the mall.  But no, why should a supposedly upscale spa like this one allow their guests to clean up.  But wait, they do.  But only if you've had certain services.  I guess a $100 massage doesn't count.  Maybe they don't mind their guests leaving greasy and trying on clothes in their dressing rooms.

So, this Christmas, my husband gives me another Spa Nordstrom gift card because he knows I love a massage and it's been a stressful year.  This time I figure I will help myself.  I call to make an appointment and specifically ask if I can shower afterwards.  Of course, I was told no.  There isn't any time for a shower.  Funny that there is time if you pay for a different/more expensive service.  It was decided that I could forgo the foot soak (hardly a miss since it was only 3 minutes) and that time could be used for a shower at the end.  Again, no manager in sight.  Maybe they should make their appointments 5 minutes longer to accommodate their guests, maybe not.

I mulled over this situation for several days and decided to drop the whole affair.  I cancelled my appointment this morning and I will use the gift card for extra Christmas presents.  And then we'll be done with Nordstrom.  I can certainly spend my money elsewhere and get better service.  I was fooled by their reputation, but they don't live up to it.

Amber Steak House

Didn't honor reservation which was confirmed via email. Waited at bar for an hour and a half for a table ! How crazy is that? Finally we ordered appetizers, but by the time they arrived we had just been seated. I must say that the food was really good. Beet carpaccio, Steak tartare and fried calamari were all great. Dinner was Amber seafood platter (all food, no pasta or rice fillers, sauce amazing), French onion soup (best we've had in a long time) and a 16 oz NY Strip with peppercorn sauce. Creamed spinach on the side.

The 2 star rating is NOT for the food. Food would get it a 4. Even the service was good, believe it or not. Anita, at the bar, and a waitress, and a hostess, was filling all these positions at once because there is NO MANAGER in sight. And that's where the problem is. Why bother having a reservation system on line when no one bothers to check it. I even received an email confirming our reservation, but it was no where to be found, and the response was "oh you must have booked on line, you really should call."

I must say that there was a huge party going on in the front of the restaurant which left less tables for regular customers, but if there were a MANAGER, he or she might have been able to handle the logistics of a party and regular customers on the same evening.

After all was said and done, they comped our bar drinks and appetizers which was very nice and the least they could do. It was our 24th wedding anniversary after all...

Totally Slacking Off

That's what I have been doing with this blog.  I admit my laziness.  It's summer. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

We've been out to eat tons:  Lobster Joint in Greenpoint, Sunswick in Astoria, Sato in Forest Hills, Agora Taverna in Forest Hills, Keuka Kafe, a wine bar, in Forest Hills, Don Peppe on Lefferts, Dirty Pierre's in Forest Hills, El Quijote in the city, Gypsy Wolf Cantina in Woodstock, Cafe Ole in Astoria. 

Especially liked Keuka Kafe, it's on Queens Boulevard past Ascan Avenue towards Union Turnpike.  Nick, the bartender/host/waiter was great.  Jill and I sat at the bar, had wine and appetizers and loved it.  Salmon carpaccio with mango salsa was totally yummy.  I must have more.  So much on the menu I want to go back and try.

Grilled octopus at Agora Taverna is still my favorite.  Went to dinner with Jesse and he loved it also. I had shrimp saganaki appetizer and he had seared scallops.  We shared octopus, salad and soup too.  Fun!

Tonight I am going with Jennie and Barbara to Barosa, then we are going to the casino at Aqueduct.  Never been and hope to strike it rich at the penny slots :) :)

June

I've cooked some...Asian pork burgers with corn cole slaw.  Burgers were ground pork (very underrated, even if i don't eat it much), scallions, ginger and rice vinegar.  Slaw was green cabbage, carrots, leftover corn on the cob (cut off, of course), mayo, sour cream, sugar and vinegar.

Also summer chili and corn bread.  Chili had no meat.  Pinto beans, frozen corn, stewed tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers and 3 tablespoons of homemade adobo seasoning.  Cornbread had scallions and jalapenos.

Tried my hand at oatmeal raisin cookies from scratch.  Not bad :)

Made ham dinner for Brett.  Spiral ham, just gets warmed, ziti with pink sauce and mesclun salad with goat cheese, beets and bacon.

Went to Ithaca/Cortland for orientation.  Had a nice time.

Since home, been to Dani's, Don Peppe's and Barosa.

Almost 4th of July!!!!

Missed Some...

Just found notes on my phone for Oktoberfest:  Michael and I had Coors Light (me) and a Black and Tan (Michael).  We shared an Oktoberfest pretzel with mustard (no pickled veggies on the side, disappointed), a smoked Black Forest BLT and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken.  FYI: Female wait staff very nice, male wait staff not so much.

We were also at the Station House again, sitting at the bar this time: Smuttynose Star Island Dry Hopped with Lemon Drop (on cask) (me) and Left Hand Milk Stout for Michael.  Also, Imperial Stout and Blue Point Blueberry (me) and to top it off a Lagavulin 16 (Michael).  We ate:  Pizza (don't order it, it's yucky) and a pulled pork on brioche with slaw (very good).  Joe the manager/bartender was a great!

Cafe Ole

Michael and I checked out a new Spanish place in Astoria, Cafe Ole (http://www.cafeolerestaurantny.com/).  We were pleasantly surprised.  It was POURING outside and it was warm and inviting inside.  Small dining room, but seated immediately.  We shared a pitcher of red sangria, and also received two extra glasses on the house at the end of our meal :).  Stuffed mushrooms with crab meat were extra yummy! Shrimp in garlic sauce was good, garlic soup needed salt and smoked paprika, arroz con pollo was delicious (if not a tad small), Manchego cheese and olives were good and tostones were fresh and hot with great garlic sauce on the side. 

The ambiance is terrific.  Alex and his team know how to treat their customers and we will definitely be back.  The strawberry cheesecake was really good and so was my piping hot cafe con leche.

We've also been back to the Station House in Forest Hills.  Paolo was once again our server and he's just a pleasure to deal with!  We had:  Hell or High Watermelon, Bruery Bois, Blue Point Toasted lager, Ommegang Abbey, Left Hand Milk Stout, Heineken, Victory Hop Devil Nitro and Ketel One with club soda.  Great Beer selection!

We ate:  Fried pickles, Mac and cheese with bacon (yummy), pickled pepper wings, buttermilk chicken with chorizo and queso fries, a decadent burger and a portobello wrap.  Great company, great night!

Barosa with Joe and Denise

Wednesday night we went to Barosa with Joe and Denise.

Always good company!

We had:  Calamari Barosa in red sauce baked in a pizza crust; chopped salad, seafood salad in avocado; chicken scarpariello with cherry peppers; shrimp scampi; soft shelled crabs and chicken with chopped tomatoes and mozzarella.  Dessert was zabaglione with strawberries and an Italian Iced Coffee!  Coffee was great.  I must remember to order one every time I go.