|
I swear this place must get overlooked all the time, wedged unassumingly into the quarter-block on 9th Street between C-Town and 5th Avenue. But it's really quite good. When I lived at my old...
I swear this place must get overlooked all the time, wedged unassumingly into the quarter-block on 9th Street between C-Town and 5th Avenue. But it's really quite good. When I lived at my old apartment, I routinely ordered delivery when I was too lazy to cook. It's a really good alternative to the standard alternating of chinese food and pizza. Admittedly a couple dollars more - but worth it. You actually feel like you're eating a meal, as opposed to fast food.
There's a pretty hefty selection, so chances are you'll find something you like. Though honestly, it's not exactly health food, it tastes good. And it'll fill you up.
I guess it qualifies as Spanish or South American more than any other one place, but they're pretty international in their selection (a favorite of old was their take on Chicken Cordon Bleu). And it's awesome getting friend green plantains instead of run-of-the-mill french fries.
I'll mention that I usually ordered delivery, but the one time I ate in, the service was quick and the food hot and delicious. The environs are nothing to drool over, but they're very comfortable and casual.
If you're a "light n' healthy" eater, this place will likely leave you feeling a bit bogged down. But if you are more meat-and-potatoes, you'll get a nice foreign twist to that "basic staples" meal ordering from Yayo.
Note: To the best of my knowledge, they still serve breakfast. I've never had it, but i used to see a breakfast special sign when I walked by.
Hide
|
|
The Strand - the largest independent bookstore in the world. And they aren't kidding. It puts B&N to shame, at least in terms of variety. While mega chain bookstores tend to carry only the...
The Strand - the largest independent bookstore in the world. And they aren't kidding. It puts B&N to shame, at least in terms of variety. While mega chain bookstores tend to carry only the more-sought items, The Strand is a great source for hard-to-find, out-of-print or used/discounted books.
My favorite is the photography department. There's always an awesome selection of great monographs, and lots of them are heavily discounted. If you don't mind pulling up a spot on the carpet, you can sit and flip through a stack of books for hours.
The Strand has undergone an overhaul in the past year or so and is a lot more organized than it used to be. Still, with so many books on SO many things, sometimes it can be a bit tricky hunting down a gem. If you know exactly what you're looking for, it's simple enough to go to the help desk and have them check the inventory. However, if you're looking to, say, just find a "great photo book," it could be in one of three or four places. It's best as a place to go when you have time to spare and just want to poke around. Of course, this can be difficult at times because The Strand's no secret, and is often full of people obliviously clogging the isles.
Note: Don't bring a bag you're not willing to check at the door; apart from small purses, they're pretty adamant about their policy. So, don't buy a new I pod and bring it to the store with you...
Note 2: They have several locations, including a rare books department - though I haven't been to them.
Hide
|
|
Though it's a tiny place, its four shelves are crammed practically floor to ceiling with beauty supplies and over-the-counter meds and the like. The selection is comparable to Duane Reade or CVS,...
Though it's a tiny place, its four shelves are crammed practically floor to ceiling with beauty supplies and over-the-counter meds and the like. The selection is comparable to Duane Reade or CVS, but it just feels a lot better to me shopping at a mom-and-pop style operation.
My girlfriend has also taken to getting all her prescriptions filled there (I would too, but I have no health insurance...so...). They're very accomodating; once she left town forgetting she'd placed a prescription for filling; she had to have it filled elsewhere and they gave her zero hassle about already having filled it. Though of course, keep in mind that they DO have to buy these meds when you place an order, so go easy on the family and don't be a perpetual canceller.
They have a good array of products on the shelves - including Burt's Bees and miscellaneous organic, eco-friendly, and/or higher-end products.
It's a much shorter walk if you live around 7th ave and 11th street than CVS or Duane Reade, and they're much more knowledgeable and friendly than your average chain store clerk. So, give it a look before you head down the hill to the chain stores. Also, their prices tend to be pretty darn good on everything I've bought.
Hide
|
|
If you're looking for an unusual arts/crafts item, I would call ahead because it's a small shop and the chances of them having it are not super-high. It's not a Pearl Art mega-house of art supplies....
If you're looking for an unusual arts/crafts item, I would call ahead because it's a small shop and the chances of them having it are not super-high. It's not a Pearl Art mega-house of art supplies. But it's got your standard stuff - poster board, matte board, a decent paper selection, and miscellaneous tools of the crafts (pencils, etc). They're quite nice - I once just needed a 5x7 piece board and they gave me a small scrap; other times, I've looked through their "scrap" section and found matte board with useable sections up to 14x14 and only been charged pocket change for them. It's also nice to browse, as they usually have some obscure but fun items to look through.
I feel a bit sad when I go in at times, because it's almost always empty and I can only imagine they're desperate for business. But after an initial offer of help from behind the counter, they'll usually leave you alone unless spoken to. I believe they also do a framing business, tied to the adjacent storefront. Perhaps that keeps them going. But it's nice to have a selection - albeit a small one - of art supplies available locally.
Hide
|
|
Well, some is junk and some is name-brand. This is an anomaly I didn't know of until I came to Brooklyn - the sort of "catch-all" supply store. Kind of like a Duane Reed or something, but with more...
Well, some is junk and some is name-brand. This is an anomaly I didn't know of until I came to Brooklyn - the sort of "catch-all" supply store. Kind of like a Duane Reed or something, but with more discounts and a wider selection of odd things. Come to think of it, it's sort of like a cross between a hardware store, a Duane Reade, and a dollar store.
Depending on what kind of quality you want, it may not be the place. It has tons of kitchen tools and the like, but they're going to be cheap (price AND quality) versions; you're not likely to find a OXO spatula in this place. But if you want a can opener and don't really care if it's space-age rubber, you can find one here, and it won't cost much.
It's a perfect place to go if you're a young person moving into your first NY apartment and need all those little home necessities on a budget. Small garbage cans, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies - it's all here. Plus the odd, entertaining item you don't usually come across (eg - I once recall seeing something like a pantyhose hanger in there).
So, if you are looking for something home-y (kitchen sink food catcher, dish drainer, paper towels, non-"designer" beauty products, humidifiers, crock pots, etc etc) - go here. It's a good place to start.
Hide
|
|
Another fairly uncontroversial one. Johnny Mack's is good. Not astounding. But better than okay. I think it's not astounding simply because it's exactly what you expect from any of the thousands of...
Another fairly uncontroversial one. Johnny Mack's is good. Not astounding. But better than okay. I think it's not astounding simply because it's exactly what you expect from any of the thousands of bar/restaurants in New York. All the menu staples (eg - burgers, fries, some pasta dishes, salads, etc). A couple TV's around the place, invariably tuned in to some sporting event somewhere. It's great; it's pleasant; it's what you want if you go to one of "those types of places."
The waitresses and bartenders I've had have all been really, really nice - which goes a long way with me. They don't seem rushed to get your order and take your money; they seem to feel comfortable taking a minute to chat. But not so long you feel your meal or drink's being intruded upon. In that way, they seem to be seasoned veterans of the bar & restaurant service business.
I'd give this a 4-star, but I've always felt like grade inflation is b.s. - so I try to be fair as possible. Looking at the 3 stars, it seems a bit harsh. But if I gave everything 4 or 5, how would you really distinguish the truly great places? There's a big difference between "perfect" and "perfectly happy with." So, Johnny Mack's is rock-solid. I would be shocked if it disappointed. If you want to go with a coworker and grab a drink or two, then sit down to a no-frills but tasty, filling meal - that's the kind of place Johnny Mack's is. "That" kind of place. You know what it's like.
Hide
|
|
Dizzy's
Category:
Restaurants
819 8th Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11215
(718) 499-1966
I love Dizzy's. I'd go there more often, but it's more "restuarant" prices - rather than a true greasy spoon. But it makes sense, as there's little greasy food to be found. They specialize in...
I love Dizzy's. I'd go there more often, but it's more "restuarant" prices - rather than a true greasy spoon. But it makes sense, as there's little greasy food to be found. They specialize in healthy, home-cooked dishes. My favorite's the meatloaf.
It's a diner atmostphere - just a modest space of simple tables and a long counter. There's outdoor seating too - though it fills up fairly quickly.
The food is excellent, no doubt about it. So long as you're expecting REAL food, and not diner grub. But you can hardly be dissapointed with the twists on standard diner fare - fresh, whole grain bread for the sandwiches, puree accents and the like provide something a little nicer when friends and relatives come to visit from far-off suburban realms.
The staff is almost always super-friendly and energetic. There may be a wait for the food - good things take time, and the kitchen's usually overloaded by the crowd.
Weekend brunch is an awesome option - though lines are usually longest for this. Good, solid breakfast with the usual Dizzy's embellishments - and the optional mimosa.
Note: CASH ONLY. We always forget this and have to go back to an ATM - which is usually fine because it's a wait for the table anyway.
Hide
|
|
Horrible experience. Shortly after moving into the neighborhood and having several fine rentals from them, my girlfriend had an awful experience that got us both banned from the store (so they said...
Horrible experience. Shortly after moving into the neighborhood and having several fine rentals from them, my girlfriend had an awful experience that got us both banned from the store (so they said - I'm guessing I could go back...)
I forget what the title was, but my girlfriend rented it and returned it (she thought) without issue. About a week or so later she received a phone call reminding her to return it. She said she had. They said she hadn't. The ONLY other possibility was that she'd returned it to Reel Life South (another local store - see review) by accident. However, after walking up the block and talking to them she was assured they hadn't accidentally gotten it. So, she must have returned it to the right place. She called back Video Gallery, argued with them briefly, and the matter was left quasi-resolved (she said she had returned it, they said she hadn't, but nothing else was mentioned).
Several weeks later a bill appeared on her credit card for an exhorbitant amount (replacing video store rentals is much more expensive than buying one ourselves, due to liscencing matters, etc). They just went ahead and billed her for it!! Way to resolve a problem! Well done - good customer service. Now, I'd been in the before and seen that things were a bit pell-mell, so I do believe it's possible that she placed it at the return counter, walked out, and before they checked it in someone could have stolen it. But is that HER fault, or their's for mismanagement?
Anyway, she went into the store, had a long arguement where they accused her of being a liar and ultimately said, "Fine - we'll take off the charge. But you're not welcome here anymore." To which she replied, "Do you really I think I'd come back anyway, after this?"
And that, as they say, is that.
Hide
|
|
Much like Starbucks v. Everyone, indie video/DVD rental places have long been waging a war against big guns Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, and now the new threat of direct-to-your-home Netflix....
Much like Starbucks v. Everyone, indie video/DVD rental places have long been waging a war against big guns Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, and now the new threat of direct-to-your-home Netflix. Reel Life South takes a typical indie attitude to the matter: They suck. We're authentic. If you don't like it, f** off; who needs you anyway? This can be good or bad - depending on whether you're with them or against them...
I try to be with them, but of course am inevitably left feeling unaccepted and secretly laughed at. Of course, this is because I am neurotic about acceptance, whereas they adopt the opposite attitude. They are not above carrying mainstream titles - be confident you can find your latest Vin Diesel flick on their shelves. But know you must be confident enough to stare down the two signs with arrows that indicate "real" flims (the foreign/indie/classic-of-film-school-classes scetion) versus the crap films (aka anything mainstream) and face them holding your copy of "Just Married," knowing they are invisibly shaking their heads in disdain.
They have a great selection of foreign films and hard-to-find ones by academically lauded directors (eg - Roman Polanski, but not necessarily Ron Howard). And as said, they've got most of the new major releases. Some of the less-popular films are, however, only available on VHS.
My girlfriend finds them more agreeable - she even jokes with them when we go in, at which I wring my hands and think, "God - they must think we're SO lame!" But I think she's got it right - if you go there enough, and talk with them enough, and manage to convince them you're one of them, everything's hunky-dory. If you're like me, don't worry - they'll respectfully let you walk out with your copy of Notting Hill before scorning your pitiful, mainstream existence.
Hide
|
|
I no longer bother calling anywhere else for my Chinese food. Is it 4-star dining? Not really. But CERTAINLY a couple steps above your typical greaseball Chinese takeout.
Eating in, the food is...
I no longer bother calling anywhere else for my Chinese food. Is it 4-star dining? Not really. But CERTAINLY a couple steps above your typical greaseball Chinese takeout.
Eating in, the food is actually quite good. Whether they put less effort into the delivery or it inevitably loses something being transported in sealed plastic containers, I can't say. But I just want to point out that it's very, very good eating in. Eating out, it's (as said) much better than typical Chinese takeout, but you don't feel like you're eating from a restaurant per se.
You can order "off the menu," but be prepared for a struggle to explain exactly what it is you want. My girlfriend is vegetarian and always tries to order steamed tofu with a side of stringbeans, but no matter how many variations we echo back to them ("steamed bean curd with stringbeans" leads to "what sauce?" "No sauce" "...." "....") - we can never quite seem to find the "magic phrase" that they understand what she's asking for.
Other than that small phone difficulty, the place is great. Uncontroversial, solid bet for something better than typical takeout.
Hide
|