CaesarTheDay _.

Valencia Nissan

This was my second visit to Valencia Nissan Service department. While the first one was just a regular inspection / oil change and nothing to write about, this one was completely different.
First, it took at least 4 calls to the service department to schedule an appointment: they don't pick up and they certainly don't call back.
When I dropped my car off on Saturday morning, the service rep, Zack, was grumpy and unpleasant. Any attempts at chit-chat or small talk resulted in a muffled reply and a basic "don't bother me" attitude.
The car had some A/C issues so I asked them to take a look and call me to let me know what needed to be repaired. No one called. I finally called around 3:30pm to try and find out if the car was ready. It was, and the service department was closing at 4:00pm. So when I got there, there was no one to explain the findings, nor anyone to ask questions about their 'suggested' additional repairs. Furthermore, they left my SUV's transmission in 4-wheel LO position and seat heaters on. I realized that something was wrong about a block away and had to switch the transmission back to normal. This was my wife's car - so if she had picked it up she probably wouldn't have noticed and drove it on a freeway in a 4-LO position killing the drive-train.
Now to the 'suggested' repairs. They listed at least 4 items that I had replaced less than 12000 miles ago and still had warranty on the parts. Their prices were also at least double of what a regular mechanic would charge. I verified all their items with an independent mechanic and even the original Nissan parts were marked up over 150%.
This dealership's service is sub-standard. I'm sure that their work is fine, but the customer service as well as pricing and made up items on the suggested repairs list are ridiculous. Needless to say I would not recommend this particular service department. I know that in Santa Clarita Valley choices are limited when it comes to dealers - but I suggest you find yourself an honest mechanic and keep your money.

Valencia Acura

I got my Acura TL from Valencia about a year ago. From the very beginning, the staff was professional and very courteous. There were no sales pressures whatsoever and the buying experience was the least painful I've ever had. I took one hour from the time we got in the door to drive out with our new car with excellent pricing.
A year later, the dealer has proven itself by offering good service hours, completing the job on time and at reasonable cost. They make it comfortable while you wait for service with coffee, donuts, and eve shoe shine. I highly recommend the dealership for your purchasing and service needs.

Newhall Escrow Company Incorporated

I don't know how involved the Escrow company should be iin one's home purchase, but Newhall Escrow wasn't at all. Besides shuffling paper, missing paperwork, forgetting signatures, their contribution to my home ownership was nil.
People there aren't very friendly. The phone receptionist sounds like she's there as a punishment for crimes against humanity. Despite having an assigned escrow officer, the only person I could get a hold of was his assistant and she really did all thte work.
What ticked me off to no end is that I signed the "Opt Out" clause for sharing my information with businesses (i.e.: I didn't agree that they could) and they still provided my info to everyone and their uncle. How do I know? All the mail had the same spelling mistake that Newhall Escrow put on the paper.
I know sometimes you have no choice in what company you use (especially when you're the buyer) but if you are presented with the choice - don't choose Newhall Escrow. You'll be disappointed, frustrated, and utterly lost - because no one is there to help or explain anything!

Accurate Autoworks

and Accurate Autoworks is that mechanic for anyone living in Pasadena.
Everyone at AA is extremely helpful and knowlegeable about cars. They specialize in Hondas, Acuras, Toyotas and Nissans, but they fix everything.
Pricing is very competitive and compared with Nissan service way cheaper. Plus they don't try to sell you additional services and/or parts that you don't really need. When they inspect the car, they always give good advice and recommendations but they're not pushy, so if you want to wait and bring in a cheaper part you found yourself, they'll install it.
Over all - very helpful staff and very good service. They'll answer all your questions and stand by their job with good warranty.

El Monte Svc

I wouldn't recommend this place to come and fix your Nissan. I brought in my Pathfinder for a regular 60k mile checkup. Being first in-line at 7am I thought I'd get my car quickly, but it took over 5 hours of waiting in a dingy, crabby wait-room.
When I got my car, I got a list of "suggested" services that included every part in the car. I took the car to an independent mechanic later to get a second opinion and they verified that 90% of what the dealer recommended was un-necessary and overpriced. $350 for brakes!!
Additionally I found that they never even checked the air-filter becasue I took it out and it was dirty - even though they charged me for it and claimed on their checklist that it was serviced.
These people will fleece you and try to sell you stuff you don't need. Go to your neighbourhood mechanic to check out your car and skip the dealer. As long as you do your warranty maintenance - your warranty is valid.

Wheatberry Bakery Cafe

If you're craving some old-world breads, cakes, pastries and great coffee - Wheatberry Bakery & Cafe is fantastic!
They have a great selection of freshly baked European style breads, baguettes, ciabatta rolls and every kind of pastry and cakes.
Wheatberry is also great for lunch - they make fresh and delicious sandwiches accompanied by salads.
They also serve Illy coffee - which is the best cofffee you can find this side of the pond.
Great atmosphere.
They only complain I would have as a European purist is that they use "plastic-ware" instead of silverware. It's also self-serve but I'm willing to forgive that. Eating with a plastic fork is inexcusable.
The decor is tasteful and it's a great little cafe for a weekend lunch and truly the best breads.

PROS: Breads, pastries, cakes, and coffee.
CONS: Plastic forks, self-service. Lousy Caesar dressing.

Moonshadows Malibu

Moonshadows has a good ambiance. It's right on the surf, has a great view and is a decent hangout for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Don't eat here under any circumstances!!

The five of us gathered at Moonshadows for dinner last Sunday. The hostess was very accomodating in getting us the table we wanted, but it all went down from there. The service at Moonshadows is terrible. Busy or not - it's inexcusable. After studying the menu we were ready to ordered. 4 out of 5 items we wanted were unavailable! A brief update from the waiter would have been helpful, but he just shrugged and walked away.
First, the soups didn't come. Then the main course arrived. When asked what happened to appetizers, the waiter just looked at us confused as if how dare we asked him that!! A steak salad with grilled peaches and bleu-cheese was put together from a greens mix, Wishbone dressing, some wilted peahes and 4 nickel sized charred pieces of what used to be beef.
Chicken dishes and the steak were edible, but completely lacking in imagination or flavor. Seafood was unavailable.
If you want to haul all the way to Malibu for food - pack a picnic basket and eat it on the beach. If you want a crowded restaurant with limited drinks menu and food menu that is worthy of Sizzler - feel free to visit Moonshadows.

Zinke's Shoe Repair

The place is okay if you want to fix some scuffs or your heels are worn out, but don't trust your shoes to be re-soled or fixed beyond the basics. After getting my shoes back, within a day the whole work fell apart and nails they used to mend the heel are now coming up from the inside. I would much rather them say that they can't fix it than to attempt and come out with a dodgy result.

Arnie Morton's The Steakhouse

I'm not a big steak eater, but when I do crave some beef, Arnie Morton's is the place to go. Yes, it's very expensive, but for a classy steak joint in the middle of three major studios, it's not a surprise.
Steak is exceptionally tender and tasty. Wait staff is always very nice and eager to explain their selection to the steak neophite such as myself.
Exceptional wine list and their sommelier is very well educated in pairing fine wines with your dinner choice.
Good ambiance on par with that of a steak house - dark wood, dim lights, white linnens.
Quite often you can spot a celebrity or a big-wig from one of the studios. Jay Leno has his own wine locker, and he's a frequent guest.
I give it 4 stars only for the priciness, because you can get comparable steak elsewhere for less money.

Lucio H. Kim DDS

I actually used Insider Pages to find a dentist. Given the stellar reviews of Dr. Kim, I made an appointment. I was pleasantly surprised that all his great reviews were true. His office is small but clean with very professional staff. What was a complete surprise to me was that Dr. Kim sat down with me and asked me of my expectations of him and his practice. No other dentist has ever done that before! They just look at the X-rays and go to work. Dr. Kim explained everything he was doing and performed a very thorough cleaning himself. It was a very pleasant visit and I would recommend Dr. Kim to anyone.