Q: negative

A: My wife and I went into the former Putters now Spectators for lunch yesterday. The prior kitchen operator was OK for bar food. We had noticed that he (Carlos) had moved from Charlies months ago. I'm always a little Leary when there is a bio of the cook in the menu. Really? Just a little tacky. We started out in the bar where the wife played $40 and had a coke, I had a beer and did not gamble. The place was empty except for the usual cast of bar flies speaking of past glories. The bartender (forget her name. Long blonde hair) served me a beer (immediately returned to the 'regulars' and spoke on the bar phone extensively) $3.50 pricey for a draft Miller Lite and the server from the restaurant brought the wife her diet coke. The server knew the menu and specials. She was very prompt and attentive, sorry forgot her name also. Ordered the 'Hamburger special' in addition to the usual had spinach, mushrooms and Swiss. My wife ordered Nachos w/ shredded beef. We moved into the dining room very nice, clean and complete with white table cloths. Now I understood why most items on the menu were $9.99 for lunch. After a short wait the food arrived. The burger (which I ordered medium) arrived well done with fries. It was OK, hard to mess up a burger except for being over cooked. Now the nachos were another story...Super thick/hard chips, some cheez whiz type stuff on the plate, a little (and I mean little) pica de giao (sp), a tiny drizzle of sour cream and a dab of guac on top of the (tough) shredded beef. No jalapenos, olives, re fried beans, real cheese melted on top nor salsa on the side. My wife had to ask for salsa.Terrible. (Great nachos are available at Bj's on E. Trop and Harmon or the Peppermill on the strip). It's hard to believe that a supposedly good cook cannot create a wonderful plate of nachos. (Just read his bio) I guess the topper is that the Mrs was not even comped for her Coke after playing $40. How cheap is that. I was told that the bar and eatery were separate. Guess she should have had a shot of Jack or was told the 'rules' before ordering. Needless to say we will not be back. The two stars are for the server, if not for her there would be no stars. Sorry.

Q: positive

A: The Heard Museum is truly awesome. It's not huge, but they make the most of their space, including short films, longer presentations, and a huge display of kachinas in telling the cultural stories of Southwestern Native Americans. Importantly realizing that Native American cultures are not dead, the museum contains modern artwork and filmed interviews with members of today's Native American tribes. The amount of information given is detailed but not overwhelming, and I would say that the museum represents an excellent introduction to Southwestern Indian culture. One could complain that the Heard Museum doesn't document any of the internal Indian wars or strife, but on the other hand ,considering the racism these groups still come up against, perhaps its for the best that the rest of us just learn about how complex and beautiful these cultures often were and are. A final note should be given to the beautiful museum itself, which may be the only time I'll ever use the world "beautiful" to describe any building in Phoenix. It resembles images I've seen of Roman villas and its courtyard is very mellow, with a nice cafe and pools of running water. I would even recommend coming just to chill out with an ice tea in a stunning courtyard. I mean, where else can you find that in this town?

Q: negative

A: This is a car wash that I usually recommend to others for the prompt service. Today was not a good day for these folks. Once I got through the automated wash, I parked the car and it sat for well Over 45 minutes before it was touched. Once they 'finished', I say that loosely as the car still had water dripping and one of their washing cloths still inside. Car was not clean as usual and I will definitely contact a manager tomorrow. Not happy at all with the service today.

Q: positive

A:
This place is actually quite amazing. They are a foreign company and so new here in town, and North America in general, that their current website doesn't list this location. It simply states U.S. and Canada coming soon. They live up to their promise of express service. I have to give 4 stars rather than 5 due to price. I went with a groupon that made it half price. $16 for what would normally be $32- express manicure and express pedicure. Honestly the most I'd be comfortable paying in reality is about $20, maybe $25 max, for the combo. Especially since a full service nail salon by my house will do both for the mid $30's. So price will cause a hesitation in exactly how often I return, but they do completely and utterly deserve 4-5 stars for service, in my book, so yes, I will be back. (I just wish they were not in a tourist mall on South Las Vegas Blvd, because I'm positive that's why they can get away with charging what they do. If they were out in a strip mall on the west side of town somewhere, or even Meadows or Boulevard, I'm sure they'd be a few $'s cheaper.) Anyway, they earn a high ranking in my book because of their customer service, vast selection of colors that are a quality formula, and the fact they fill a specialty market. Customer Service: There were 2 women and 1 man working when I arrived. All were upbeat and attentive. They were the epitome of service with a smile. They have been trained to work quickly, but they obviously have been trained to do a superior job as well. My nails were shaped, painted, and finished with top coat and oil as expertly, if not better, as at any other salon but in less than half the time. Selection: Dozens upon dozens of colors. Everything from what might be an "older" customer's choice of rosy pinks, bright reds, and neutral brown hued blushes, to the trendy and newest brights, darks, and more off the beaten path colors for the younger crowd (or in this bustling city foreign visitors who have a different taste). They are all the company's own brand, so we aren't talking OPI or Essie, which normally I would honestly usually prefer at a full salon. However, here is the 5 star aspect- for being a "no-name brand," this manicure is the longest lasting manicure I have EVER had. I'm a mom of a toddler- my hands go through a lot every single day, and I'm telling you, not a single chip until 1 week! I don't know about you, but for me that's amazing. They also offer Swarovski crystal application, french manicures, and other selections for up-charges. Specialty Market: As I've repeatedly mentioned, their marketing strategy is not that of a pampering full service nail salon. What they tout is speed. This may not be everyone's cup of tea. But for me, the basics are what I'm looking for, as long as they are done well, and like I already said, they aren't just done well, they are great. I wouldn't say I need the speedy service, though it's a plus- what I want and what I like is they aren't about all the frilly extras. (FYI: They do offer some for a higher priced choice, just like the extras in nail crystals and such that I mentioned regarding selection. But their "express" services are their most popular, it would seem.) I don't need a warm soapy hand soak in a dish. They don't do it. They don't have massage chairs and bubbling spa foot tubs either. I'll be honest, perhaps a small part of me missed those two items, but that would be it. However at the salons that do that, they also take razors to your dead foot skin and scratchy pumice stones to your soles. When those places start that I actually have to ask them to stop. Not only have I always been ticklish so it was unpleasant at best, but in the last 5 years I've developed back problems that have caused poor circulation and nerve damage in my left foot, making all of that excruciatingly painful. But I put up with luke warm hand soaks that serve no purpose and painful foot massage and pumice because I simply can't paint my fingernails as well as a professional can, and now medically I can't do my feet myself. So for both preference and need, I want AND need a caring professional. LAKA provides just that. I may be in the minority, but "we" exist. And I'm thanking God now that LAKA exists as well. A great job, great finished results, no pain, no frilly extras, but a caring staff who does their job, which is just what I'm looking for- extraordinarily looking painted fingers and toes!