AMC 20 - the Block

The AMC 20 opened up while I was living next to the Block at Orange and while I am a HUGE fan of the Century Theater chain for their dedication to a "theater" experience and sound and picture quality, I guess you end up going to the theater that's within walking distance.

So, on to the bathrooms.

The bathroom at this theater is well thought out for the traffic patterns found in a theater. They have shown great care over the years with upkeep in this bathroom, which is not so easy considering the crowd that frequents on weekends. Quality materials were used and space is generous.

Now, the feature I really enjoy in this bathroom is the sink. It is wide and accessible to multiple users. It has automated on and off sensors for waterflow, and is made out of a molded plastic that has that weird 50's vinyl floor pattern to it. You know the pattern your kindergarten sink and floor were made form. The one that looks like someone threw up after eating plastic confetti, and then pressed that throw-up into a plastic mold. In fact, the sink reminds me quite a bit of my kindergarten sink. Remember the big round sink in the middle of the room, with a metal bar that you pressed with your feet to turn it on. It's not just the 50's vinyl floor plastic look. It's the way the water sprays out in rays from underneath a molded plastic shelf. It's the way the soap dispenser is molded under the shelf with "SOAP" written in large molded letters with large arrows indicating where the soap drips from. I'm quite a dork for liking this sink so much.

Score: 8 Flushes for cleanliness, thoughtful design, and of course the sink.

It's a Grind Coffee House - La Habra, California

I am quite a fan of the It's A Grind Coffee House, and especially this location. . . however.

The bathroom is completely uninspired. The employees do a fantastic job keeping the bathroom clean, but the bathroom at this location lacks in design, decor, and amentities.

There are paper towels, a sink, a toilet, and a plunger located in the bathroom. There is a mirror. I am describing this bathroom in such stark sentences because that is how the bathroom feels. The potential is truly there, too. It is sizable, and due to what seems to be a fluke, there is a shelf that runs the length of one wall (the one next to the toilet) built into the wall. This is the one great feature in this bathroom. When you carry the newspaper or your laptop in with you, there's this huge shelf to set them on. Other than that. Nothing. Not even a picture. Sad really.

I do suggest this location for great coffee service and bathroom cleanliness, but maybe it's time to consult a decorator.

Score: 5 flushes purely for cleanliness.

A Celebration of sorts

Rick's Dessert Diner is in Sacramento, California. (2322 K Street.) There may have been some changes as I haven't been there in years, but let's assume not for the sheer purpose of my own personal joy. The bathroom here at Rick's is a miracle. First let me explain that Rick's looks like a 50's diner and has some of the most delicious desserts you will ever encounter. Now on to the bathroom.

When you approach the bathroom your expectations are normal. An uninteresting door stands at the side of the restaurant and has a cheap glue-on sign from the local hardware store that says "restroom", (once again remember it's been at least 5 years and building codes may have changed some details.) The adventure begins when you open the door.

The restroom is unusually long. An approxiamation of dimensions being 5' wide, by 20' deep. The decor is matched to the business (50's tiles and colors), and it is appointed with a rather typical porcelain vanity and mirror. In fact, the decor is nothing unusual to speak of and in fact, the amenities are typical towel dispenser, soap dispenser, toilet paper on a roll, and a toilet you've seen in countless homes and businesses. The uniqueness of this bathroom is completely held by the toilet placement.

Opening the door you look 15' to a raised floor on the other end; in fact if memory serves you take two steps up to a nearly two foot platform where the toilet is located. This is very similar to the platforms for the thrones of King's and Queen's (see Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet for an example, and also for the fantastic film.) It is both an odd feeling and quite a fun feeling to sit high on this toilet in such a large space. I know this may sound unimpressive, but you really should try it. This gives the bathroom large bonus points for the "experience" of being there.

Score: 9 Flushes

California Pizza Kitchen - Huntington Beach

Well-decorated and maintained, the bathroom at this CPK location is luxurious. The walls are stone, the mirror is surrounded in sculpted tile, and with the inclusion of plants, a hand pump soap container that would be found in finer homes, and an open-top hand towel container next to both sinks the environment is thoughtful and relaxing. The only points working against this bathroom are typical, blue-painted steel stalls and a common layout. However, I am recommending this location strongly as a business that has considered it's customer's experience throughout.


Score: 7.5 Flushes