Park Plaza is a real diner. I'm not talking cute, retro little train car full of '50's kitsch and a stainless steel bar. I mean the kind of diner you might find on a road trip. Next to a strip mall. In Idaho.
First of all, it's about 10 times the size that any diner in New York has right to be; it's so big that even a party of two usually gets seated at a booth for six. It also overlooks Cadman Plaza, a nice big generic park. And then there are the $3 daiquiris, with a sugar-liquor proportion that would do any tightwad bar owner proud. Mood music? Not so much, unless you want to plug a dollar into the computerized jukebox at your, and every, table. Are the lights dimmed at night? Of course not! How then would customers see the Brooklyn Bridge wall murals and carefully curated collection of framed plates?
For some reason, Park Plaza isn't as popular as the frou-frou cafés and bistros nearby, but fine. More complimentary pickles and giganto burgers for you and the geriatric locals dining alone to enjoy. And remember to finish off with a mammoth piece of cake from the pastry shelf up front, if you can stuff one in. You can even get one of those big squares of carrot cake decorated with an icing carrot.
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