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Talbots

I often like going to Talbot's, but one time turned me off from at least this branch, if not the whole chain. I went in to exchange sizes with my son. He was touching the necklaces, and I was watching him, but the line was taking forever and apparently he touched a necklace that was literally made out of thread. When I went to the counter the employee told me that he had broken the necklace. (It seems to me they could have better quality jewelry, or keep the breakable stuff out of reach.) I told her I would pay for it, but she was very snotty and said "It's okay, we can "donate" it, but it's not fair." or something like that. In retrospect I should have insisted on paying for the $50 thread-based necklace so I didn't have to listen to her attitude, but I didn't. Apparently a huge chain can't control their breakable items and then has an attitude about when something happens. I won't ever go back to this location at the very least.

Tratorria Pasta Grotto

I had been interested in trying Pasta Grotto since my friend told me they have fondue, and I love fondue. It is a Swiss-Italian restaurant and they have some Swiss specialties as well as pastas and meats. We ended up getting the fondue, which is either a cheese or beef fondue, that comes with soup or salad and "chocolate fondue". The fondue was a standard cheese fondue with bread, and some potato pancakes. It was fine. (You have to have at least 2 people order the fondue and I wasn't sure you could get the chocolate fondue otherwise). The Italian wedding soup was very good.

We ended up getting the option between the "chocolate fondue" and "warm berries", which was berries in a sauce with ice cream. It looked okay, but didn't sound too exciting to me. The "chocolate fondue" was an assortment of fruit pieces and a small dish of chocolate, that tasted like Hershey's chocolate sauce. I didn't end up eating the chocolate at all.

The owner is the waiter, I believe, and we got good service, but as we had a coupon (they have a connection from restaurant.com) I was a bit put off by his telling us to pay the tip based on the original amount.

All in all, it was good food, but I probably wouldn't get the fondue again. I'd try something else.

Pump It Up

This Pump It Up is in a weird location in between 101 and El Camino. The inflatables are smaller than those at other locations. The party times are maximized for the company to make as much money as possible (i.e. 9 am on a Sunday morning). The parties are expensive. My friend hosted one that cost $500, all told. If you want to serve food, you have to serve the food that they sponsor (in this location, Avanti Pizza). It's fun, but I would go to another location before I'd choose this one.

Walking Co

I have gone here when I had a specific type of shoes I was looking for. I found some nice ones, but the pair they had was mismatched so I would have to order them from another store. By the time they showed up I had ordered them online. I do like this store and their selection but I don't shop there often.

Footwear Etc

I am a big fan of Footwear Etc. It is a place you can find all your favorite upscale shoe brands and try them on. This location is very large and stocks some great shoes. Very good for walking shoes.

Shoe Pavilion

I have been going to this Shoe Pavilion for years, and I do periodically find some good deals, but they must not get many customers because the sale shoes have been there for 7 years! They do have a large amount of shoes, and a pretty good selection, so it's worth checking out.

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

We've been to brunch here a few times, mostly for their Easter themed brunch and have a great time. It is the best brunch in the Bay Area, with a great selection! During Easter they have an even more expensive brunch (if that was possible) including an Easter egg hunt for the kids, handmade chocolates, a petting zoo, and a crafts room for the kids, and of course the Easter Bunny! It is a great place to go for brunch!

Rolling Pin Donuts

My husband and I go out of our way to go to this Rolling Pin Donuts. They have a really good chocolate coating for their chocolate donuts and are otherwise really fresh and delicious!

Lullaby Lane Kids

They sold me a stroller (that was very expensive, mind you). I took it out of the box, rolled it for about 5 min. and the wheels locked. It was then totally useless, and they refused to help me. I wouldn't recommend this store to anyone. There are tons of baby stores in the Bay Area, why not try a nicer one?

Staples

I always start at Target for my school supplies (the cheapest), then go to Staples for what I can't find there. They are the best truly office supply store. I buy all my mailing supplies there. I really think they are the best office supplies.