Q: negative

A: Excellent place for buying boxes. They have specialty TV, wardrobe, lamp, etc boxes, and a huge selection of packing tape, blankets, peanuts and everything you might need for a move. Very well stocked. The lot was full of trucks, vans and all sizes of trailers - and while I didn't need anything but boxes, they looked pretty prepared to sell me on a truck (which they tried to sell me on despite me telling them I was mid move with people packing a pod for me as I checked out). If I hadn't called ahead and spoken to an absolute boob before I got there, I'd probably give them a 4-star rating (minus one star because for chrissakes, their boxes are overpriced). They either have the thickest guy on the planet fielding calls or he was just refusing to listen to me. I asked three times if they had specialty boxes like wardrobe, tv, etc and if they had packing supplies and the guy assured me three times that they had "some small medium and large uns" and had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned wardrobe and tv boxes. And he had the nerve to "sweetie" me. I AM A GROWN ASS WOMAN. GROWN ASS WOMEN DON'T WANT YOU TO "SWEETIE" THEM. If you aren't going to call my husband "sweetie" when he calls you, THEN DON'T DO IT TO ME YOU CONDESCENDING ASS. Also - unless you're desperate like I was at the last minute, here's two tips that will save you hundreds of bucks on your move: 1. Go to Harbor Freight on Bell and 32 Street to buy moving blankets for half of what U-Haul charges. They're $14.99 at U-Haul and $7.99 at Harbor Freight. 2. Scope out the PV Mall parking lot by the Dillard's entrance. Near the bus stop behind the parking garage, there's a big open trailer FULL of clean boxes that are put there by the smaller stores that don't have access to a baler. I just moved a 2800 square foot house with nothing but boxes from there (plus two lamp boxes and a wardrobe box I bought in desperation) I can't say for sure that PV mall condones dumpster diving, but nobody ever bothered me about it. 3. Speaking of Harbor Freight - they also have those awesome vacuum bags that you can put all your soft goods in and suck out all the air. $4.99 for a box of three versus $19.99 and $29.99 for the same bags at Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and U-Haul. (Even with coupons at BBB, they're cheaper at Target if HF is sold out.) And you're welcome for that free box tip...

Q: positive

A: My family and I had brunch at Bouchon and it was lovely. We sat outside, near the Venezia Tower pool and garden (which is also lovely) on a beautiful morning. It was my mom's birthday brunch so everyone ordered what they wanted, we ordered a few extra things, three of us had cocktails, and I still thought the overall cost was very reasonable, considering what we all had. My stepdad had the Moules au Safron, which was clearly the showstopper dish amongst all of them at the table. It was beautifully presented in this really cool pot with a dipping section, and they were tender and flavorful and overall fabulous. There were a ton of them and he cleaned them out (we all chipped in a bit). My friend and I both had the omelet of the day which was broccoli rabe and cheddar. It was delicious. It also came with a giant stack of super crispy and very tasty bacon and brioche. Yum. Mom had the quiche of the day, which was spinach. It was very good, too, but didn't come with anything on the side. My only real complaint is that the beignets we ordered were not light and puffed up beignets but really were like a plate of mini-donuts. They tasted good and came with strawberry sauce and Nutella, but it was just not what I was expecting. Our drinks were also very good - coffee, bloody marys, mimosas - and the service was excellent, although we did end up waiting a bit to get our check. But, the setting was so pleasant that we didn't really mind all that much. I would definitely return; in fact, I look forward to it.

Q: negative

A: Go here if you enjoy having the Manager, Jay telling you how things should be - i.e. - hemming one leg of my pants different from the other one then not doing ANYTHING to fix the issue but yell (to the point of other customers staring)... and then in the same order I had my favorite suit come back with a small hole on the forearm sleeve only for Jay again to tell me he didn't have anything to do with it and just gave me my money back?! ONLY AFTER arguing (unprofessionally in my opinion) for about 10-15 minutes... I would rather wash my clothes in a river before going back here - you've all been warned!

Q: positive

A:
UPDATE 2/8/06

Well, I had to take a star off because the Spanish Latte at LGO (Le Grande Orange) seriously kicks ass. I hate to say it, but Hava Java just can't hold a candle to it. But I still really like Hava Java for coffee and it is a nice place to sit. It also had the bonus of being connected to a genuine gelatoria.

++++++++++++++

The best coffee I have had in Phoenix. I wouldn't give it 5 stars in the greater coffee universe, but it is way better than what you will find at Starbucks or Coffee Plantation (which hardly qualifies as coffee in my book). Until I find better in Phoenix/Scottsdale I will let the rating stand. Bonus points for being connected to a gelato shop. Baked goods/pasteries are average. Pleasant atmosphere.