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I'm not being at all wry when I say that those conductors do a swell job. I've pit-stopped at all 3 Whole Foods in Manhattan (Columbus Circle, Chelsea, & Union Square) and my checkout has always...
I'm not being at all wry when I say that those conductors do a swell job. I've pit-stopped at all 3 Whole Foods in Manhattan (Columbus Circle, Chelsea, & Union Square) and my checkout has always gone beautifully despite the throngs of shoppers.
I find Whole Foods to be slightly more expensive than what seems sensible on many things, particularly the deli/takeout & bakery foods. Specific items and some produce are good deals and sample days can be fun.
The locations tend to be very convenient though. I would much rather stop at Whole Foods than the Food Emporium when going through Union Square on the way home-- and what better place to grab something for Central Park than in the basement of Columbus Circle? Not to mention the mall's public restrooms. . .
In general though the best whole foods are still at the local farmers' market and the local co-ops.
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There was a brief time in my life when I was eating 'gourmet' Chinese food nearly everyday--the kind of Chinese served bejeweled with gold flakes and real flowers and spooned morsel by morsel onto...
There was a brief time in my life when I was eating 'gourmet' Chinese food nearly everyday--the kind of Chinese served bejeweled with gold flakes and real flowers and spooned morsel by morsel onto your plate by an army of immaculate and efficient servers. Even though I regularly saw people drop more than my NYC rent on dinner for two at this particular London eatery I remember more than once thinking. . . I could get this dish, sans the bells and whistles but with all the taste, for a fraction of the price--if only I were back home in Chinatown.
While it's true that Asian cuisine in London consistently underwhelmed me, (sorry blokes British food is still nothing to write home about Jamie Oliver or no!) part of the truth is that NYC simply has an abundance of cheap, but tasty Chinese food--and Green Bo is above average for its price range.
The veggies are savoury and fresh, the sauces familiar, but somehow better than what you thought you knew. As others have pointed out, Green Bo excels at dim sum, packing their steamed goodies with generous amounts of homemade goodness. If you go for dumplings go earlier in the day, as they become overly dry and leathery by the time they get served in the evening (even so they're better than average). The rice, which must be ordered seperately, tends not to be of very good quality, the tea the usual Chinese dive brew, and the presentation is nonexistent. Service is also apathetic, but efficient. HOWEVER nobody really cares about these things, because they're too busy stuffing themselves full of Chinese dumplings.
Average (vegetarian) meal for two with beers and tip about $25-30
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I'm not ecstatic about this place, but I like it well enough. It is just the kind of neighborhood deli that everyone should have; fresh bagels, lots of sandwiches, attractive looking bakery items,...
I'm not ecstatic about this place, but I like it well enough. It is just the kind of neighborhood deli that everyone should have; fresh bagels, lots of sandwiches, attractive looking bakery items, and a lot of good natured shouting and scurrying behind the counter whenever it gets packed--which it does regularly on weekend mornings.
They have a pretty extensive deli menu and do catering as well. On average prices are what should be expected for The Slope, which means no steals!
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Just bought my first pound of Gorilla beans and am quite happy with it. I'm really glad I began supporting this local micro-roastery. I tend not to hangout in-shop, as it is always crowded, noisy...
Just bought my first pound of Gorilla beans and am quite happy with it. I'm really glad I began supporting this local micro-roastery. I tend not to hangout in-shop, as it is always crowded, noisy and not particuarly comfortable--perhaps the coffee fumes get everyone a little too hyped up (but in a good way).
Previously shopped Porto Rico Importing on St. Marks Place or did Jim's Organic from the supermarket, but I have to say Gorilla's is better than Jim's and more convenient for me than Porto Rico. It is also all organic, all free trade, and all roasted locally--which means FRESH and you really can tell. I drink it black, no sugar and this stuff is quite nice. Prices seem very reasonable for the quality and philosophy.
Be warned that the prices and roasts available online at http://www.gorillacoffee.com may be different than what is in-store. When you buy beans at the cafe, you also get a free medium coffee--bonus! If you're really committed, get a punch card and your 11th pound of coffee is free.
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Reel Life is the real deal-- a wild collection of every kind of film for people who really love cinema.
Sure it hards to navigate, sometimes requiring Twister-like feats to pass fellow browsers...
Reel Life is the real deal-- a wild collection of every kind of film for people who really love cinema.
Sure it hards to navigate, sometimes requiring Twister-like feats to pass fellow browsers in the narrow, creaking aisles. The filing system is somewhat archaic and the number of titles relatively finite, forcing us all to bring back movies the next day!
But Reel is a mass of great film: blockbusters and indies, foreign and Hollywood, rare and run of the mill, kitschy and haunting, something for all tastes. There's cult stuff you've never heard of and bootlegs and pornos that no megastore would ever dare to stock. It's place where VHS and DVD share their glory.
There are Reel Life's in both Park Slope and Williamsburg.
Other vaults of film treasures?
-Evergreen Video, 37 Carmine St, NYC
-Kim's Video
-Photoplay Video, 933 Manahattan Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
-Two Boots Video, 44 Ave A, NYC
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Opened on Sept 21st, I predict that this little cafe will be out of business by the end of the year. Of course it is new and the Greek pastries looked very nice, but here are the reasons I'm not...
Opened on Sept 21st, I predict that this little cafe will be out of business by the end of the year. Of course it is new and the Greek pastries looked very nice, but here are the reasons I'm not willing to give this new kid on the block and second chance:
1. Rude counter staff. At the time of my visit the cafe had been open for 2 days. Already disgruntled? Not a good sign.
2. Tepid, poorly done, over-priced coffees and teas. $3 for a plain cup of subpar coffee served in a dainty white cup. $3.25+ for anything flavoured or espresso based. With really tasty, free trade, heaping cups of beautiful java all around this neighbourhood--- why???? Others in my party had Irish Creme (verdict: this just tastes like regular diner coffee!) and Cappucino (Uh, this is, yeah, this isn't good.)
3. Mediocre to bad bakery items (excluding the Greek desserts, which I did not try). Muffins were bad, cakes and cookies were average, but overpriced.
4. Silly no water rule. So after spending $3 on a tiny and tasteless cup of coffee and $6 on a piece of cake, when I asked for a glass of water I was told that they didn't "do that" here and that I would have to purchase a Pelligrino or other bottled water.
5. Awkward design identity. Not that the ambiance of a place makes or breaks a good spot, but it has the feel of a place that wanted to be somewhat chic or well-designed, but was unwilling to put any money into it.
Yet to be fair. . .
1. My server was new (first day) and nervous and slow, but very sweet and very attentive. He even broke the rules and snuck me a contraband glass of tap water, despite being instructed to tell me the no tap water rule.
2. I sat out on the back patio, which was a nice place to be.
3. There was a small selection of Greek/ Mid-Eastern looking dishes beginning at around $8 that might have been good, but I didn't partake of any of these. Who knows? Maybe this is their secret weapon.
My guess though, is that the Comfort Zone just doesn't get it.
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So I'm relatively new to this part of Brooklyn and just recently back to NYC from more than a year away-- I hope I'll be forgiven if my review is redundant, but I just had to say. . .
I wandered...
So I'm relatively new to this part of Brooklyn and just recently back to NYC from more than a year away-- I hope I'll be forgiven if my review is redundant, but I just had to say. . .
I wandered into Two Little Red Hens early morning waiting around to pick up my moving vehicle on my very first day in the hood. . . I was just hoping for a quick morning fuel up since i had rushed out without eating to get my moving day started, but what I got, was one of The Best muffins I have ever had and a whole eye full of bakery treats that still occupy my waking, sweet dreams.
A few weeks later and I haven't made it back yet, but I already know i have new favourite bakery in town.
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I stumbled into Joe's the other night about 2am happy to have found something open, hot and cheap. I certainly wasn't expecting greatness, but my happy mood was definitely dampered when I ended up...
I stumbled into Joe's the other night about 2am happy to have found something open, hot and cheap. I certainly wasn't expecting greatness, but my happy mood was definitely dampered when I ended up paying much too much for what I got.
I had foregone Daisy's 24 hour diner just up the road, thinking a slice would be less costly, but after the guy at the counter added the "late night" fee to my very mediocre, who knows how long they had been sitting there slices I would have been much better off dropping my money at the diner or elsewhere.
The "late night" fee wasn't posted or printed and prices were unclear (I thought I was getting $1.75 slices and they were $3.00 each). I didn't want to be a jerk and say I didn't want the old, not very good slices after he had already reheated them, but I felt taken advantage of when he popped the substantial price increase on me. It definitely seemed a little shady. The guy just shrugged and said, "It's more at night".
If you have to go to, or just really like Joe's, make sure you know what they're going to charge you before you get it, but for all the trouble it's worth, you'd be better giving your business to a more honest place.
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So Read is dirty and a little smelly and the counter folk apathetic, but the garden is a sweet refuge for you and your pals to share a tea/ coffee/ beer and/or do just what the moniker of this place...
So Read is dirty and a little smelly and the counter folk apathetic, but the garden is a sweet refuge for you and your pals to share a tea/ coffee/ beer and/or do just what the moniker of this place suggests--read.
inside the walls are lined with magazines, books and oddities like a Mr. T. Chiapet or a spooky looking puppet.
I have never really eaten at Read, though there are several sandwiches, salads, bakery items, etc. Prices and fare appear to be what you should expect, but the state of the "kitchen" has always turned me off from trying anything beyond drinks.
No wi-fi and no aircon really, but did I mention there's a garden? A GARDEN!
Other favorite back Gardens include St. Helen's cafe (what cute turtles you have!), Cheers Thai restaurant, and not a garden, but a beautiful outdoor eating area at the newly opened My Moon (very NEW Williamsburg).
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Tai Thai
Category:
Restaurants
206 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11211
(718) 599-5556
Williamsburg is a seething mass of Thai restaurants that have given rise to their own sort of Brooklyn Thai cuisine culture swapping and sharing chefs, employees, inspirations. . .
Tai Thai is...
Williamsburg is a seething mass of Thai restaurants that have given rise to their own sort of Brooklyn Thai cuisine culture swapping and sharing chefs, employees, inspirations. . .
Tai Thai is relatively a newcomer to the scene already dominated by Planet Thailand and Sea, but has done well for itself, already expanding its dining area and finally scoring a beer and wine license (sorry no more BYOB!).
I've been to Tai Thai on several ocassions, but would only recommend the $4.95 lunch special, as when paying full price the Thai elsewhere is better. However, for a cheap lunch the fresh veggies and lightning fast service of Tai Thai can't be beat. It includes an entree of curries or stir-fries with brown or white rice, or noodles, and a small veg spring roll. The white rice tends to be very Minute Rice-like, so go brown if you care.
Other Thai in the area includes: Planet Thailand (the original), Sea (an affordable spectacle), Chai (my preference), Cheers (nice outdoor garden and down home feel), Siam Orchid, Amarin, Hao Sam, Lily Thai, OTT, Moon Shadow, Thai Cafe.
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