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I first heard about Design Within Reach through a typography professor when I was studying graphic design in graduate school who raved about the store. I say that because it's important to...
I first heard about Design Within Reach through a typography professor when I was studying graphic design in graduate school who raved about the store. I say that because it's important to understand the weight of the endorsement. This was a professor of design with her work all over the world who clearly knew her stuff. Suffice it to say I took her opinion seriously.
The problem with DWR is that they claim to be about bringing great interior design to the masses, the average joes who maybe can't afford a Barcelona Chair, but their prices are still way out of the range of the average person. While they do have beautiful well made products, the truth is most of us will have to settle for the Ikea semi-knock-off/put-it-together-yourself version or go to Bo Concept for a step up.
Still, it is a fun store to window shop in.
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Sensa
Category:
Food & Dining
676 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10001
(212) 807-0615
This question reminded me that I should review Sensa the fairly new restaurant in Chelsea. The Mrs. and I shared a Nutella Panini there that was quite good.
The Mrs. being a European holds a...
This question reminded me that I should review Sensa the fairly new restaurant in Chelsea. The Mrs. and I shared a Nutella Panini there that was quite good.
The Mrs. being a European holds a special place in her heart for Nutella and also knows of a thousand uses for it. When the waiter asked how it was she said "How could it possibly be bad it's got Nutella. Nothing's bad with Nutella, I'd put it on anything." The waiter responded by telling us that he's got a recipe for Nutella Cornish Game Hen.
Anyway, besides the Nutella Panini, Sensa offers good food. Example, having spent half my life in Maryland I like a good crab cake and theirs delivered. I've also had a very good rigatoni with mushrooms and a creamy red sauce there. My one complaint is more of a style issue. They were still dialing in the menu on my first visit and it looked like this was addressed recently, but they didn't seem like they had one defining feature. They were a little too Americanized to be considered Italian but a little too Italian to call them anything but Italian. It's hard to describe, which makes them hard to recommend, still, I think I've managed to do so.
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I've never visited Cuba and I'm pretty sure it's not exactly like Calle Ocho but this Upper West Side restaurant/bar sure does do a good job of making you feel like you're in that imaginary dreamy...
I've never visited Cuba and I'm pretty sure it's not exactly like Calle Ocho but this Upper West Side restaurant/bar sure does do a good job of making you feel like you're in that imaginary dreamy Cuba that lives in every open-minded American's subconscious. They've done everything, including temperature control, to make this place look and feel tropical.
The food was great. What I especially liked was that they offered something outside of just the Americanized Cuban meals (you know the joints that say Cuban and it basically means Cuban sandwiches). The desserts nearly stole the show. They really did go island style with exotic fruit flavors and other Caribbean specialties. What definitely stole the show were the cocktails. While not exactly Cuban (they made me a mean caipirinha) the drinks we all perfectly tropical and sweet without lowering themselves to that frozen daiquiri slushie nonsense.
Overall an A+ for Calle Ocho.
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Stepping into B. Oyama Homme is like getting your own stylist. Bernard (the B. in B. Oyama) is usually at the store offering advice to customers or just chewing the fat with the locals like myself....
Stepping into B. Oyama Homme is like getting your own stylist. Bernard (the B. in B. Oyama) is usually at the store offering advice to customers or just chewing the fat with the locals like myself. The clothing is a mix of B. Oyama originals which Bernard designs and a couple of high end labels. There's something very cool about knowing who designed your suit and getting him to tailor it for you. It's the closest you'll come to buying bespoke clothing without actually buying bespoke clothing.
This diamond in what used to be the rough is a sure sign of the success, not gentrification that has come to Harlem.
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I've used Roto-Rooter before and they fixed my problem, but as I write I am taking a day off from work to wait for them. I called at 7:30 this morning and they said they'd have someone out to fix my...
I've used Roto-Rooter before and they fixed my problem, but as I write I am taking a day off from work to wait for them. I called at 7:30 this morning and they said they'd have someone out to fix my problem by 10:00. At 9:30 I get a call saying they're running late, they should arrive no later than 11:30. At 11:45 when they hadn't arrived I called to check the status and the dispatcher got an attitude and told me they would be here by 1:00. It's 12:30 now. We'll see how that goes.
Overall the work is fine but the service and broken promises have made already negative experience of not having working plumbing even more negative. I won't be calling on them again.
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When I called I was told they couldn't get somebody out to me today. That's not 24 Hour Emergency service. Why not just tell the truth and call it "We'll Get To You When We Get To You Plumbing"?
When I called I was told they couldn't get somebody out to me today. That's not 24 Hour Emergency service. Why not just tell the truth and call it "We'll Get To You When We Get To You Plumbing"?
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Staples
Category:
Office Furniture & Supls
105 W 125th St
New York, New York 10027
(212) 864-5747
Note: This is not an indictment of Staples as a whole, rather a statement about this one in particular.
The Staples on 125th Street which is tucked away in a basement below the streetm is a...
Note: This is not an indictment of Staples as a whole, rather a statement about this one in particular.
The Staples on 125th Street which is tucked away in a basement below the streetm is a madhouse. It has consistently long lines and long waits even when the lines are short. The staff is generally grumpy and the store inventory is sometimes intact, sometimes strewn about. Something tells me this wouldn't happen in a white neighborhood.
But the worst part is, unlike in days of not so old when black people couldn't shop or work on 125th St. (that's right, I said it, do your homework), these days it's the black people working in the stores that treat us with general disrespect. It's a shame. I never go in this store anymore. I go to the one on 35th and 8th near my office, which although I did see a rat in there one time, has a guy named Erik who is always helpful and quick.
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Check out The Harrison for great food in a setting that looks and feels more upscale than it is. The Harrison's menu is full of tasty fish dishes that are hit with just the right amount of spices...
Check out The Harrison for great food in a setting that looks and feels more upscale than it is. The Harrison's menu is full of tasty fish dishes that are hit with just the right amount of spices and sides that really work in harmony with the fish. The menu changes so I don't know if recommending something makes a difference but if you get a crack at the sauteed skate take it. One non-fish recommendation, try the crispy chicken.
Aside from the seafood there's a heartily stocked bar and a good wine list with plenty of "by the glass" offerings. Don't forget to finish off your night with one of their creative and delicious desserts.
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If you need a broker and you're interested in Harlem, I recommend Sandra. She knows the neighborhoods well and keeps track of all the goings on. Plus, she can find good deals in the quickly rising...
If you need a broker and you're interested in Harlem, I recommend Sandra. She knows the neighborhoods well and keeps track of all the goings on. Plus, she can find good deals in the quickly rising prices in Harlem. I used her when moving to NYC on a recommendation from a friend and it was a great experience.
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One Stop
Category:
Women's Clothing
466 Court St.
Brooklyn, New York 11231
(718) 855-3600
When I left Harlem one Saturday afternoon to get my new suit tailored in Carroll Gardens at One Stop I was really hoping I wasn't wasting my time. I found out when I went back to get the suit that...
When I left Harlem one Saturday afternoon to get my new suit tailored in Carroll Gardens at One Stop I was really hoping I wasn't wasting my time. I found out when I went back to get the suit that it was worth the trip.
Rule #1 of men's suits, never let the department store tailors cut up your new suit. For the most part, with some outstanding exceptions, these are the bottom rung of tailors who are just working for speed, not detail-oriented craftsmanship. At One Stop, however, you can talk over the suit with the tailor, go through how you want it cut and get advice about shopping for your body type. The mark of a well tailored suit is that it needs no adjustment. It looks like it was made for you and that's what you'll get from One Stop.
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