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Calle Ocho is so different from any other place in the neighborhood, you'd think you walked in from the Flatiron District instead. This is big, fun, and loud restaurant with great cocktails (mmmm,...
Calle Ocho is so different from any other place in the neighborhood, you'd think you walked in from the Flatiron District instead. This is big, fun, and loud restaurant with great cocktails (mmmm, mojitos!) and even better food.
Even on a cold winter night, you feel the heat generated from the ambiance and the food. I love the beefsteak and the sopa de mariscos, but that's only touching the surface. This is one of those places where, when you come back again, you don't know whether you should try something new or if you want to have what you had last time.
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Since it's got such a small entrance and is on a side street, Disiac almost feels like your little secret when you go in. They do serve some nibbles, but this spot is primarily a nice little lounge...
Since it's got such a small entrance and is on a side street, Disiac almost feels like your little secret when you go in. They do serve some nibbles, but this spot is primarily a nice little lounge to meet up with friends. It's a mod-ish type interior with some funky lighting, and in nice weather, they open up their little garden in the back. The bar staff are very friendly and they make some very nice martinis. Definitely a fun and more quiet spot in the mania that can make up 9th Avenue's bars and restaurant scene.
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Bubby's is good, but I don't think it's best brunch I've ever had. I don't think it would even rate my top ten. The location is very family friendly, as well as known to be a celebrity-sighting...
Bubby's is good, but I don't think it's best brunch I've ever had. I don't think it would even rate my top ten. The location is very family friendly, as well as known to be a celebrity-sighting type of spot, therein lies the appeal. But I do wonder if you have to be a celebrity to get the kind of delicious food other people seem to rave about.
While there are some unique combinations on their brunch menu, they don't always strike the right note. A personal experience with their Salmon Florentine Eggs Benedict taught me that just because it's got a cult following, it doesn't mean they're always right.
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La Mia Pizza is both a neighborhood pizza spot is my personal pick for New York style pizza. They make a great variety of pies and will go the unusual route with successful results. Those would...
La Mia Pizza is both a neighborhood pizza spot is my personal pick for New York style pizza. They make a great variety of pies and will go the unusual route with successful results. Those would include their lasagna slice, which has a mix of ricotta and ground beef on the pie, as well as their ziti slice. Since ziti slices appear to be a New Jersey thing, it warms the heart to see it here in the city.
Just thinking about these pies makes me want to head right up there and order a slice now.
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This tiny little restaurant on 77th Street is a dream. It's cozy, but somehow if it were any other way, it just wouldn't be right. From the low lighting, to the little patio out front, this is a...
This tiny little restaurant on 77th Street is a dream. It's cozy, but somehow if it were any other way, it just wouldn't be right. From the low lighting, to the little patio out front, this is a sweet little spot to enjoy your past with a glass of wine.
The menu features many pasta and meat dishes, and you could also mix your own past combinations. By far, my favorite is the veal tortellini in a porcini sauce, which is decadent and deliciousness in every bite. They also make a nice chicken francaise, with just the right amount of tenderness. There are other locations throughout the city, but this location and ambiance wins hands down.
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Eight Mile Creek is an enjoyable place, with a downstairs lounge and upstairs restaurant making up this Aussie establishment. On many occasions, my friend and I have stopped by for a pint and their...
Eight Mile Creek is an enjoyable place, with a downstairs lounge and upstairs restaurant making up this Aussie establishment. On many occasions, my friend and I have stopped by for a pint and their jukebox en route to another place. It's one of those places you never make a destination, but when you're in the neighborhood, you say, "Hey! Why don't we pop in here?"
As for the restaurant, their menu is tasty with some unusual offerings. Having ordered the Emu tartar and Kangaroo Kebab, we still wonder to ourselves if they were pulling our legs with that. In spite of being quite good, the menu also offers more standard fare for the less adventurous.
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Le Jardin Bistro is a precious spot with an mid-sized outdoor garden in the back. Everything about this place is very French, from the menu to the wine list to the service (you read into that what...
Le Jardin Bistro is a precious spot with an mid-sized outdoor garden in the back. Everything about this place is very French, from the menu to the wine list to the service (you read into that what you will).
Overall, the main reasons to come here are for the food and the garden. Although the interior is nice, I don't see how it would be possible to enjoy your food as much knowing that beautiful patio is sitting right there in front of you. The food is indeed very tasty, whether you're having their salad nicoise or steak with pommes frites, making it one of those places you should try at least once, even if French food isn't your thing.
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According to the menu, a Waikiki Wally did actually exist, but I don't think this is how he wants to be remembered.
The atmosphere of this place is all about fun, with the exotic birds and tiki...
According to the menu, a Waikiki Wally did actually exist, but I don't think this is how he wants to be remembered.
The atmosphere of this place is all about fun, with the exotic birds and tiki decor, but everything else challenges that notion. The drinks are exorbitantly priced, considering how watered down and fruity they are, while the food is gelatinous and tasteless. When we complained about one particular dish, the waitress smiled blankly as if that would make everything okay.
If you ever find yourself having to go here for a birthday or group occasion, I would just say smile and wait for it all to be over.
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In spite of the countless places that call themselves a "deli", very few can claim authenticity. Stage Deli is one of those places.
When I have my chicken noodle soup here or a roast beef...
In spite of the countless places that call themselves a "deli", very few can claim authenticity. Stage Deli is one of those places.
When I have my chicken noodle soup here or a roast beef sandwich on rye, I'm reminded that the word "deli" connotes a certain kind of unique flavor. The meat isn't just Boar's Head in a refrigerator case and a sandwich isn't just ingredients slapped in between two slices of bread. It's love on a plate, with a side of sour pickles, from people who care about maintaining the tradition of true deli-style food. For example, on my last visit, my water lectured me good-naturedly about how my request for mayonnaise would ruin the purity of a good sandwich.
Now that's devotion.
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Situated on a corner on Bleecker Street, it's evident that Risotteria is largely about rice. As I'm not a big fan of rice, I still enjoy dining in this small, airy space trying out one of their...
Situated on a corner on Bleecker Street, it's evident that Risotteria is largely about rice. As I'm not a big fan of rice, I still enjoy dining in this small, airy space trying out one of their numerous kinds of risotto. Because when presented with options, I'll bite - literally and figuratively.
They've got more combinations than I've ever seen cumulatively in my years of dining out, and most of them turn out very tasty and the rice cooked to just the right amount. If are you are seriously against rice, however, you can also opt for a salad or a panini, which they also do well.
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