Colonial Lanes Bowling

Leader: Lulu

On Saturday, I went to Colonial Lanes Bowling with my group members, Fiona and Risako. It was a very warm day. At 2:00pm, we called a cab to get there, because the place is a little bit far away from Mayflower. When I was in, I saw many people play bowling. We rented shoes, and chose balls are different weights, but all the balls were heavy for us. Risako won the first game. She is the better of us. Also, when I threw the ball, it likes that I threw all the pressure away. I really enjoyed and excited play bowling with Fiona and Risako. I like to go again. I think this is a good place for fun with family and friends. I recommend here for fun to you guys.

Reviewer: Fiona

This weekend, I went to Colonial Bowling Lanes with Lulu and Risako. We have a good time in here, it was not so far from our dormitory. It was a good place to spent time with friends. It was not just have bowling, but also have mini golf. I really like the atmosphere in here, they will played some music when you played bowling, and it makes people feel so excited. When I played bowling I feel so relax which makes me feels like I was played in my hometown bowling alley. I think I will come to here again with my friends.


Comparer: Risako

Our group went to Colonial Bowling Lanes in Iowa on this weekend. I have never been to other bowling places in U.S. so I have no idea how general American bowling place are. However, compared with Japanese bowling places, the prices are more cheaper. Most of Japanese bowling places cost about $5~6 per game per adult. In contrast, it needs only $3.50 per game per person in Colonial Bowling Lanes. We also can rent a pair of shoes by $1.50. It is good for people to have good time on weekend playing bowling, because it is super inexpensive!! I recommend to go there with friends or family.

Pool at currler hall

Yesterday I went to the Pool at currier hall, though I went to the Pool many times, but it is the first time I came here. Actually I don't how to play it, but I enjoyed the time that my friends taught me how to play it. The Pool at currier hall is located in the currier first, it is really easy to be found, and there is automatic machine to sell the beverage. It is very clean and convenient to relax here. Compare with the Pool in mayflower hall, it is located in a separate room in the first floor, and in the room has the TV, sofa and hand washtub, it is really excellent to play here. If someone needs me recommend one of the pool which is great, I would introduce the mayflower Pool. I think it is much more comfortable place. This is the last time the group activity process, I really miss the time during all of this semester spend with my friend.

Leisure Pool at Campus Rec Center

Leader: Aya

  We went to Rec center which is located to next to main library to do swimming pool. There were rocker room before the pool area, and shower room so that everyone can enjoy swimming without worrying anything. I saw wide range of age of people there. There were parents and kids, woman who is pregnant, elderly and students. Some people were just hanging out in hot tub. Some people were playing in leisure pool. some peolpe were doing zumba for exercising. We were playing in a swimming pool at first, but I was just chilling out in hot tub soon. We had really good time in swimming pool in rec center. I would like to go there sometime soon.


Reviewer by Sherlmax:
       I should be with my group and swam together, but unfortunately I lost my swimming suit before I went there. I couldn't feel the water in the pool but I can write about the facilities in it. The locker room made a deep impression on me because of its design. When I went inside, I could easily find the toilet area, changing area, shower area and the locker area. I stayed in the locker area and found that it only takes 25 cent to use the locker once. However, if you go there, before you lock the door, you need to leave a rope outside to keep the key on your body. Also, if you wear glasses, make sure that you have already put it into the locker. Another important thing I want to mention is, watch out when you sit in front of lockers, because if someone open it, your head might be hit. I tried once. Although I couldn't swim with my teammates, it's a happy trip.

Comparer by Zoe:

            Our group went swimming last Friday in the Leisure Pool. It was very interesting. I always want to go swimming and lose weight, but this actually was the first time that I have been swimming in Iowa. The Leisure Pool was very good. It had two parts. One part was for entertainment, and the other was professional. I spent all of my time in the first one, but I also observed the professional pool. In the first part, there was a small pool which has warm water, and we stayed there for a long time because it was really comfortable. I think it was a very good place for fun. I also saw many people took a dancing class in the water. The other part was very professional and very big. I wanted to swim in the big pool, but I was too shy, so I gave up. Comparing with the Leisure Pool, many swimming pools are smaller in China except the professional swimming pools. Those long sides are 25m, and width sides are 10m.The reason is most of people go swimming for fun. The professional pools usually do not open to the public, so I do not know what they are look like. To sun up, I think Leisure Pool is very fun, and I will go to the professional pool next time.

skating!

leader by jonny
  yesterday, we went to mall and try to play the skating! we took some pictures there and have a nice afternoon. I found it is different in China, we don't have  such a big place for skating place in mall! In mall, we just have shops or restaurants, the people who try to put the skating place in mall must be very smart! How he has this opinion! And also, i found it was very hard to keep balance in the ice. Hope we can go there again and practice my skill.

Compare by Ruiyu

Monday afternoon, a hot afternoon, we found a place that cool and fun.I saw the skating place in Coral Ridge Mall many times but never tried. I skated before both indoor and outdoor during winter. It's obviously that indoor rink is better than outdoor's. We don't have to wear too much clothes which may influence our flexibility of movement. As the ice is man-made, it's more smoothly when skating. As for the different between here's and Chinese rinks, China doesn't have hockey. I never seen hockey place in normal rinks. Maybe here's can have more fun if you want to see hockey.

Reviewer by Ashgan 

Yesterday, I went with my group to Coral Ridge Mall to play ice skating. I see the skating area 

every time I go to The Coral Ridge Mall. I tried it twice before but still I am not good at it. The staff who work there are very kind, sometimes if you ask them to teach you a new move, they will teach you with a smile. The rink is big which let you have enough space to skate without colliding with others people. The ice is smooth and that make it easy to fall off.It is a good place to have fun with friends. I will go again in the future.

Coralville Movie Theater

Leader by Yuling
Last Sunday, our group went to the Coral Ridge Mall's theater and watched a movie named Barbershop 3. This movie tells a story about a black man Calvin's barbershop. People always like to go to this barbershop and they sometimes can get many new ideas about their business in here. During people get hair cut in here, there are many funny things happen. This movie is kind of comedy but shows people some true life of black people's world. I will recommend my friends to watch this movie. And this is my 5th time watching movie in Coral Ridge Mall. I really enjoy here's environment. I think our group had fun on last Sunday and if there is any chance I will hang out with them again.

Reviewer by Mili:
On Sunday, April 24, my group and I decided to go to the Coralville Movie Theater. We watched a movie called "Barbershop" which was really funny. We liked it so much. The cinema is really good because it's almost always empty. They sell groceries, pop corn, and drinks to eat during the movies. We enjoyed our day in Coralville Movie Theater. I recommend people to visit it.

Comparer by Vincent
We went to Coral Ridge Mall to see the Barbershop 3 last Sunday. The movie is really funny. Here's movie theater is smaller than my hometown. In my hometown, I also can see IMAX movie which is more comfortable. And also, popcorn here is salty! I have only ate the sweet popcorn, The advertisements before movie is too long. We came 20 minutes earlier, and we waited for the advertisements for about 30 minutes! On the other hand, we can only see movies with English here, which means it is a good way to practice English too!

Pool in Currier Hall

Leader by Yiduo Zhao:Our group went to the Currier Hall to have fun playing pool yesterday. Actually, I lived in the Currier Hall last summer, so I felt familiar when I went in it. Pool is a popular and attractive sport, that's the reason why our group chose it. I can play pool but I'm not good at it. This time was also a chance to improve my skills. Currier pool area is a comfortable and quiet place. There are two billiard tables and one table tennis table. All in all, it's a good place to have fun with sports!

Review by Najwa                                                                                                                              

The place was beautiful, but it is difficult to enter or exit. You need a card ,so that you can enter or exit, or even go to specific places in the building. Not a bad place but it makes you feel dizzy sometimes it looked like a maze. I did not like the place, but I would advise  going  there for anyone who loves the game of billiards.                                                                                                                    

Forbidden Planet

Leader by Andy:

Last Tuesday, we went to Forbidden Planet on 4 pm. We played some games. When we entered Forbidden Planet, the waiter was enthusiasm to ask us whether we needed some drink. Actually, we focused on the game. We didn't order any drink and foods. When we got there, there was nobody here. I guess time was not to have dinner. We were happy since we didn't need to wait for others. We played what we want. Bohua and John played exploration game. Then, we played against. I was so satisfied with this place. If I have free time, I prefer to come again.

reviewer by hou:

     Last week, I went Forbidden Planet with Bohua and Andy. It's a quiet place, maybe it's afternoon. This is a place kind of club because it has table where you can eat and drink. There are few game machines and those game are old but still classical such as The King of Fighter. These give me many memories. We had great time playing games, and the owner of that club is very nice!! We may go there next time.

Comparer by Bohua
           Last week, I went to the Forbidden Planet with Hou and Andy after the class. there are a little people in this store and just have one waiter to serve. I think this store is better than my home town because the store can offer some food, but in China we don't have this. we just played the video games and drink some lemonade. This store is very cheaper because you just need to spend a few money to play the video games. I hope if you have extra time, you need to visit this store.

Her Soup Kitchen

Leader by Zoe:

This week, I went to Her Soup Kitchen with Sherlmax and Aya. That was my first time to go there. I felt very excited before I went there because I like soup very much. There is a little far from downtown, and it is just open during the lunch time, so we had to use the long rest time to go there for lunch.  We ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with tomato soup and loaded grilled cheese sandwich with ham and white bean soup. There was another soup for us that I did not know the name. In fact, I loved this soup most. There were chicken, celery, beans, and carrot in the soup which tasted very delicious. For the sandwiches, I loved the grilled chicken sandwich. I thought the toast had a mild lemon taste. It was fantastic. The loaded grilled cheese sandwich was just so-so. Her Soup Kitchen is very good, but I will not go there very often because of the long distance. However, if I have time, I still want to go there with my friends.

Reviewer: Aya
We went to Her Soup Kitchen on Monday for lunch. We went there for lunch because it opens only for lunch. It was a little bit far away where we were, so it was a little bit painstaking. First impression of the restaurant was pretty good for me. The waiter were really kind. She helped us what to order and explained the menu well for me to understand what is in the soup and stuff. I liked the sandwich because it was not too big not too small, and it comes with soup what you choose. The favour differs by person, but I liked soup too. I like the interior and the atmosphere of the restaurant. I would like the restaurant again.

Comparer by Sherlmax:
          For real, I feel regret to choose this restaurant. First, it's far away from the campus. We need to walk 20 minutes from the UCC to the restaurant. Well, most importantly, I HATE how American people make soup.
          They chop everything into small pieces, and boil them together, no matter what kind of food they use. They just throw everything into their pot, considering it is a rubbish bin. A few minutes later, they get something looks like puke, and drink it with pleasure.
          How dare you waste these foods!
          Chinese people never make soup in this way. We will not mix things up. If I want to make chicken soup, I will choose the most value part of the chicken and chop it in bigger pieces. Instead of putting tomatoes, cheese, onions all together, I will put some ginger to week the smelly flavor, and add some multi-nutrition food, such as red dates and lycium chinensis, which make my soup not only tasty but also good for health.
          Sandwiches are awesome, especially the chicken sandwich, which taste like a small paradise on a plate. However, it's not enough for me cause their soup is absolutely a nightmare. After I finished the meal, I went to Subway to buy another sandwich.

Nodo

reviewer by jonny sheng
Today, I went to the Nodo which is an America restaurant with my best group members Ruiyu and Ashgan, we just rest there and order a cup of tea and a sandwich, we feel we have a nice afternoon time there. The restaurant is very clean and all people are quiet when I just go outside and prepare to take photos, the waiter even asked me if I want take the coffee outside although I told I will drink in the shop. He is so polite. I am sure that is also a good time for Ruiyu and Ashgan. The only pity today is there is no soup for Ashgan.Hope we can also enjoy our next google map activity.

Leader by Ruiyu

Monday afternoon, Ashgan, Jonny and I went to Nodo Downton. It has pretty high-rank comments on Yelp and food in there looks light and healthy. I had a self-build sandwich that with roast beef and Mozzarella cheese， Jonny had a cup of coffee, and unfortunately, soup which Ashgan wanted to try had sold out.I have to say food there had so abundant filling that it was dropping when I picking it up. The taste was nice and fresh. The vibe in the restaurant is so good, peaceful and cozy. Even though we went there at around four o'clock, which is not a meal-time, there were still few people in. Staffs there are kind. The whole restaurant gives me a clean and comfortable feeling. We had a wonderful time. Perfect place to have a sandwich!

Comparer by Ashgan
On Monday after classes, I went with my group to Nodo. I wasn't hungry, but I decided to order the soup of the day. It makes with tomato and white beans, but it was sold out at that time. I didn’t order anything else because I thought the other dishes a little expensive. It’s more expensive than Chipotle, it's the restaurant I eat usually. In Chipotle, I can have a big bowl of rice, meat, vegetable, and other things and it just cost 6.85$. In Nodo, a hummus sandwich with spinach cost 8$. people who work in Nodo are kinder than Chipotle. Nodo and Chipotle have the same look and both of them the kitchen is open. However, I had so much fun that day with my group. Ruiyu ordered a sandwich and it looks delicious. I will be back again to try something else with my friends.

30 Hop

Leader by Vincent:
Last Thursday after class we go to the 30 Hop to eat for dinner. At that time, there're not many people in there yet. Most people go there at that time is for drinking and watching sport. There's also a bare on the second floor but we can't go because of the limitation of drinking age. We ordered two sandwiches and shrimp taco. I think the taco is great because it's the first time I saw they use the fried shrimps. Because it's not the first time I go there, I will recommend this restaurant to friends to go there.

Comparer by Mili:
Last Thursday my group and I decided to go to 30 Hop to eat a "late" lunch. The place is really nice, one of my favorites compared to other restaurants in Iowa City. I ordered tacos which I usually do not like, but those in 30 hop were really delicious. 30 Hop is a different restaurant because it is also a bar up stairs, and during the night there are wood fires in the terrace to people sit around. A lot of people like to spend their nights there. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, the experience was really good. We will definetily come back.

Reviewer by Yuling:
Last Thursday after noon class,I and my group mates Mili and Vicent went to the 30 Hop for lunch. Actually, 30 Hop is a bar and a restaurant. It is the first go to this kind of place. We ordered bugers, sandwiches and Mili got some shrimp taco. Those foods are delicious that I never had in China's America restaurant. And 30 Hop has comfortable enviorment which make people feel relax and can enjoy their foods. I will definitely come to 30 Hop again, and I will suggest my friends go there and try their meal.

Baroncini

Leader: Risako

On April 9th, I went to Baronicni with Fiona and Lulu to eat dinner. Baroncini is an Italian restaurant, and it is near Uncle Sun restaurant. It was Friday, so all seats are already taken by people who made reservations. However, the waiter gave us the bar's seats kindly.In side of the restaurant is small but very clean and comfortable. I imagined it was like a retreat. We ordered mushroom pasta and seafood one, then Lulu also got Tiramisu. Those dish were little bit expensive (Pasta was about 20 dollars for each.) but really delicious. I totally recommend to go to Baroncini for every one.

Comparer: Fiona

Last weekend, me with Lulu and Risako went to a restaurant called "Baroncini". I was ordered a pasta, it was so delicious!! It was much better than my hometown. There were many seafood and tomato sauce. In my hometown the seafood pasta was taste so bad, there did not have many seafood in it, and expansive. I really like the pasta in this restaurant because the atmosphere and environment was so good, it was not a big restaurant but it looks so beautiful. However, in my hometown many people were talking so loudly in the restaurant, and people did not have a quiet atmosphere to ate food. So, I think "Baroncini" is a good place to eat, and you should try the pasta in this restaurant!

Reviewer: Lulu

Fiona, Risako and I went to Baroncini which is an Italian food. The restaurant itself is a cute small place. The ambience is wonderful. The lighting of candles are on each tables. We really wanted to sit there, but all the table were fully booked up, so we sat at bar. The server gave us some free bread are soft and sweet. The pasta with truffle and mushroom sauce and another one with shrimp, shellfish and tomato sauce both were delicious. After the meal, I ordered dessert was Tiramisu. It looked good and beautiful and tasted well, I was happy with my choice. We really enjoyed this meal. I think it is a best restaurant I have eaten in Iowa City. I would 100% recommended this place to everyone, and I will be back for sure!

Takanami

Leader by Bohua,

I went to the Takanami restaurant with Hou and Andy yesterday, and it is a traditional Japanese restaurant. Therefore I used the yelp to find this restaurant because there are a lot of information about the Takanami. In my memory, the restaurant loos like very good, and when we stayed here, we could see some cooker who were making the sushi. furthermore, there were lots of  American people who liked to eat the Japanese food. I remembered the space is very large, so we got a comfortable seat. I made a order that is PHO, and it is a soup. If you have free time, I strongly suggest that you should to try this restaurant.

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Reviewer by Andy,


Today, we went to Takanami restaurant. It is a Japanese restaurant. I really like the sushi. When we entered the restaurant, we ordered the sushi first. I ordered salmon roll and shrimp tempura roll. I suggested Bohua to order these because these are really tasty. Bohua said that he wanted to taste more so that we could share with each other. Salmon and shrimp is delicious and healthy since seafood has much nutrition. I think this restaurant could be famous in Iowa. I love eating not only sushi, but also others here like sleeve-fish and beverage which is really nice. I will come here again and suggest my friends to come here.

Comparer by Hou,

Today, we went to the Takanami which is a Japanese restaurant in the downtown, so it's not far like Formosa, even though Formosa it's not far away from old capital.  I have tasted only 4 Japanese restaurants in the Uniter State, so I just compare Takanami with Formosa. First of all, both environment are all good. Second, the taste flavor of them are all same because mostly sushi are American sushi, not really authentic. However, the one thing is different is happy hour menu. I am not sure about what it is because I have seen this before, but it's cool. By the way, if you want to go Takanami, you need to check the time when the restaurant open.

Restaurant visiting-- chop house

      Leader by Yiduo Zhao: Yesterday I went to the Chop House with my group members Jiawei and Najwa. Chop House is close to Java House, the famous coffee house in Iowa city. It's easy to find. Chop House is a quiet and unique restaurant. There are different kinds of steak and American food. For instance, Filet steak, Rib-eyes steak, baked potatoes and a nice salad. All of them are worth trying. It's a good place to meet your friends and have meals with your family. I love there and I'll go again!

Reviewer by Jiawei Li

     Today, I went to the chop house and ate steak with my group members. One of them ordered a baked potato, and the other ordered a steak. When I went to this store and saw the menu, I remembered the other steak store—Texas. I think Texas is better than Chop house, though chop house is good enough. I think there are three reasons to explain why Texas is better than chop house. The first reason is I think Texas’ steak tastes better than Chop house. The second reason is Texas’ bread tastes pretty good, it is made of flavor with milk. The last reason, Texas is cheaper than Chop house. However, Chop house isn’t very bad. Chop house has good service, and they cook very fast. Both of this restaurant are good and I always go to both of them. Maybe if we have time, we still want to eat steak together next time.

Comparison by Najwa

   I went to the restaurant with my friends on Monday. It was a good restaurant, the menu was delicious, but the restaurant was very expensive, but the food quality is better than the restaurant located in Saudi Arabia. The crew working in the restaurant interested customers. Restaurant more luxurious restaurant located in Saudi Arabia and also more organized, but the prices are more expensive in America.