For some reason, just about every time I hit Rosedale mall, I have to use the bathroom. This is especially true in recent months, where I've taken to drinking large amounts of water to prevent kidney stones. Since this is the case, finding the right bathroom when I need it is key.
The bathroom in Macy's is located in a key strategic area-near the door of the mall entrance, tucked away in the women's department.
Vital stats
1 Stall
1 Urinal
Comments
This bathroom is complicated. On one hand, it features a dark green, polished, marble-like floor. They also have a stall featuring a rather tall modesty panel. On the other, the wall tile is just your run of the mill bathroom wall tile. Overall the atmosphere is kind of a nice, moody dark place with walls that are slightly out of place.
They also have a baby changing station right when you walk in, for when you have to clean up your baby's wicked yes.
As cool as the general atmosphere is, the cleanliness is often hit or miss. This most recent time I visited it, the paper towels looked as though they had held a Mixed Martial Arts tournament, laying in shreds all over the floor. Maybe Brawny came in there, showed'em who was boss and left.
This bathroom also has some weirdness going on with it. The door to the stall, is utterly incapable of staying open, lending to the impression that someone's in there. This of course, lends itself to the uncomfortable question: "should I try to go in, and drop one, or IS SOMEONE IN THERE?"
The other weird thing is with one urinal, and the aforementioned stall issue, lines can form spontaneously, leading to a sudden case of Public Peeing Syndrome (PPS), ie, the inability to "go."
While it's overall a good, solid bathroom, it has a few small problems that keep it from contending for champion status.
2.5 to 3 out of 5 flushes. (Depends on the day)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Caspian Bistro
Contrary to popular belief and current propaganda, the Middle East was and actually is quite a civilized place. While my ancestors hadn't even discovered washing their hands, those in the middle east had invented algebra and astronomy.
This fine tradition continues with a most excellent water closet, courtesy of the Caspian Bistro on University.
Vital Stats -
2 Stalls (one seems to be handicapped acceptable)
1 Urinal
Comments:
The men's room is identified by an exotic looking tile piece of a (presumably) Persian man. Good to know, so you can avoid the wrong one.
Upon walking in the door of this restroom, I felt an amazing sense of elegance as I walked into it. First glance makes it obvious that this is no common dumping ground.
It looks like the owners of the Caspian Bistro put a lot into the tile work and atmosphere of the restroom, which really contributes to a really classy experience. It's a dark green, with contrasting accents, and two, modern style mirrors. It's topped off with a potpurri basket in the corner of the sink area.
The overall smell is good. Not like "you'd wanna spend the whole day in there good," but for a bathroom it's good.
The toilets and sinks are a bit of a let down after the initial impression of the tile work. They're really quite standard, nothing new or fancy. An upgrade to something fancier wouldn't be unwelcome, but they work and they're clean, which is more than most public bathrooms can say.
Overall, the bathroom really gives me an excellent comfortable feeling, which carries over into the restaurant area. The dining area boasts excellent Persian knitting on the walls and a fine mural.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 flushes. It misses 5 only because of the disparity between the plumbing and the rest of it.
PS
The restaurant is awesome as well. Try a mango juice and the lamb shank (33 or 44 on the menu). Check out the grocery store when you're done.
This fine tradition continues with a most excellent water closet, courtesy of the Caspian Bistro on University.
Vital Stats -
2 Stalls (one seems to be handicapped acceptable)
1 Urinal
Comments:
The men's room is identified by an exotic looking tile piece of a (presumably) Persian man. Good to know, so you can avoid the wrong one.
Upon walking in the door of this restroom, I felt an amazing sense of elegance as I walked into it. First glance makes it obvious that this is no common dumping ground.
It looks like the owners of the Caspian Bistro put a lot into the tile work and atmosphere of the restroom, which really contributes to a really classy experience. It's a dark green, with contrasting accents, and two, modern style mirrors. It's topped off with a potpurri basket in the corner of the sink area.
The overall smell is good. Not like "you'd wanna spend the whole day in there good," but for a bathroom it's good.
The toilets and sinks are a bit of a let down after the initial impression of the tile work. They're really quite standard, nothing new or fancy. An upgrade to something fancier wouldn't be unwelcome, but they work and they're clean, which is more than most public bathrooms can say.
Overall, the bathroom really gives me an excellent comfortable feeling, which carries over into the restaurant area. The dining area boasts excellent Persian knitting on the walls and a fine mural.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 flushes. It misses 5 only because of the disparity between the plumbing and the rest of it.
PS
The restaurant is awesome as well. Try a mango juice and the lamb shank (33 or 44 on the menu). Check out the grocery store when you're done.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Big Bowl - Rosedale Mall
Aside from a killer ginger ale, and pretty solid appetizers, Big Bowl at Rosedale Mall also boasts one of the best bathrooms in the metro area. I would presume that this extends to just about any other Big Bowl you go to.
Go there for a ginger ale or four, then make sure to stop in to the restroom to get rid of it. You won't regret it.
Vital stats
2 stalls (one appears to be handicap accessible, though the restaurant can get super crowded making it har for disabled people to get to the facilities)
1 Urinal
Smells - Not quite like roses, but pretty nice. The air freshener was working and smelled decent enough. Kind of a spicy, potpurri kind of thing.
Overall look - Pretty dang good. Cool art hung on the walls, sinks are a really cool basin design. I didn't use the stalls, but i would guess they are average quality. It was also very warm and pretty bright.
I would have taken a photo, but someone was in one of the stalls, and it's awkward enough that someone's writing a blog about bathrooms. Let alone having to explain why I'm taking a photo-not of you, i swear!-in an occupied bathroom. I do have a small bit of class.
Aside from the decor, it was a smidge dirty, with paper towels crawling out of the baskets, like tentacles, but it was in the peak of the dinner rush and that was really the only offense. Besides the counter looking like the Shamu show had just finished from someone's vigorous hand washing. So, no marks off there, they keep it up very well.
An oddity to note. The urinal had a rather large and unsightly hot pink "splash guard," which i'd never seen before. I can't imagine why that would be necessary, unless someone with unusually strong flow complained. Again, no complaint, just weird.
Rating - 5 out of 5 flushes. Great bathroom!
PS, try the spare-ribs appetizer.
Go there for a ginger ale or four, then make sure to stop in to the restroom to get rid of it. You won't regret it.
Vital stats
2 stalls (one appears to be handicap accessible, though the restaurant can get super crowded making it har for disabled people to get to the facilities)
1 Urinal
Smells - Not quite like roses, but pretty nice. The air freshener was working and smelled decent enough. Kind of a spicy, potpurri kind of thing.
Overall look - Pretty dang good. Cool art hung on the walls, sinks are a really cool basin design. I didn't use the stalls, but i would guess they are average quality. It was also very warm and pretty bright.
I would have taken a photo, but someone was in one of the stalls, and it's awkward enough that someone's writing a blog about bathrooms. Let alone having to explain why I'm taking a photo-not of you, i swear!-in an occupied bathroom. I do have a small bit of class.
Aside from the decor, it was a smidge dirty, with paper towels crawling out of the baskets, like tentacles, but it was in the peak of the dinner rush and that was really the only offense. Besides the counter looking like the Shamu show had just finished from someone's vigorous hand washing. So, no marks off there, they keep it up very well.
An oddity to note. The urinal had a rather large and unsightly hot pink "splash guard," which i'd never seen before. I can't imagine why that would be necessary, unless someone with unusually strong flow complained. Again, no complaint, just weird.
Rating - 5 out of 5 flushes. Great bathroom!
PS, try the spare-ribs appetizer.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Lists of the Best Bathrooms in the Twin Cities
Here's a few lists of decent toilets in the Metro Area.
http://www.yelp.com/list/best-bathrooms-minneapolis
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/dining/11501251.html
http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2011/award/best-restaurant-bathroom-1843903/
http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2009/award/best-restaurant-bathroom-876186/
http://www.yelp.com/list/best-bathrooms-minneapolis
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/dining/11501251.html
http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2011/award/best-restaurant-bathroom-1843903/
http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2009/award/best-restaurant-bathroom-876186/
What is this place?! Your guide to the best and worst Twin Cities toilets! (mens version)
You're out and about, when suddenly the Szechuan food you ate the night before decides to make a fiery exit. Where do you go?
Or maybe you're on your way to a job interview, and that third cup of coffee has your back teeth floating. Where do you go?
The Twin Cities has many public restrooms. Some of them are actually high-class, but there are many that should be declared superfund sights. This blog will help you be clued in to the best, and worst, restrooms in the metro area.
Use this to help you decide how bad "you gotta go." Use it to also help you decide if a certain restaurant is clean too, afterall the bathroom's cleanliness may indicate how clean the kitchen is. You can also use this as your guide to hit the most fancy restrooms in the cities.
The bad news, I can only speak for us men, although I did use the women's room in the Minneapolis Macy's once.
Or maybe you're on your way to a job interview, and that third cup of coffee has your back teeth floating. Where do you go?
The Twin Cities has many public restrooms. Some of them are actually high-class, but there are many that should be declared superfund sights. This blog will help you be clued in to the best, and worst, restrooms in the metro area.
Use this to help you decide how bad "you gotta go." Use it to also help you decide if a certain restaurant is clean too, afterall the bathroom's cleanliness may indicate how clean the kitchen is. You can also use this as your guide to hit the most fancy restrooms in the cities.
The bad news, I can only speak for us men, although I did use the women's room in the Minneapolis Macy's once.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)