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My roommate and I were complaining about the lack of restaurants in our neighborhood, but then we found Burgers and Cupcakes. They serve just that. I'm not a beef eater, so I had a Turkey burger. It...
My roommate and I were complaining about the lack of restaurants in our neighborhood, but then we found Burgers and Cupcakes. They serve just that. I'm not a beef eater, so I had a Turkey burger. It was a good portion, not huge and unhealthy like some restaurants serve. Fries and a pickle come with every order and they are both crunchy like I like them. I think we might have finished a bottle of ketchup when we were there. There are many varieties of cupcakes which are displayed in a case up front like a bakery. We got the large size and split between 3 people. It isn't a fast food place because everything is made to order (except the cupcakes, obviously) so maybe it's a bit better than actual fast food. It's such a great concept and a great discovery for me!
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I have never actually visited Tick-Tock in the daylight! It's on the far corner across the block from my apt. so if I'm taking a cab uptown, I can't miss it. I've been many times with friends after...
I have never actually visited Tick-Tock in the daylight! It's on the far corner across the block from my apt. so if I'm taking a cab uptown, I can't miss it. I've been many times with friends after a night out and it's just the perfect ending to the night. The grilled cheese with tomato is a little sloppy, but sooo good. They have fantastic sweet potato fries too. And, it always seems to be packed, even at 4am! It must be the late night spot for many of my neighbors too. Service is prompt, but the only complaint I have is when you want your check, your waiter seems to disappear. I don't know how this compares to other legendary NYC diners, but it's pretty darn terrific!
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This diner was voted best in Manhattan by the Daily News, and it's around the corner from my house - so I had to try it. Skylight is pretty big for an NYC restaurant, and had the traditional...
This diner was voted best in Manhattan by the Daily News, and it's around the corner from my house - so I had to try it. Skylight is pretty big for an NYC restaurant, and had the traditional counter, mirrored walls diner look. They have great fries and a really filling vegetarian chili. I tried a chicken/portobello wrap, and the chicken was not dry but juicy. Rare for some places! Prices were reasonable, as some others charge $20 for a sandwich! The service is average, waitress has that NY attitude, bare bones kind of stuff. I noticed a lot of people having dinner, like half a chicken and mashed potatoes kind of dinner. I think I need to go back and sample more of the food, but I liked it this time! Also, the desserts looked gigantic, like enough for 3 people.
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Everyone knows you can ice skate in Central Park or Rockefeller Center in New York, but since everyone knows, lines are absurd. I've heard people have to wait hours to get on the ice at Rocky, which...
Everyone knows you can ice skate in Central Park or Rockefeller Center in New York, but since everyone knows, lines are absurd. I've heard people have to wait hours to get on the ice at Rocky, which takes away the fun, plus you have to pay. Thanks to Bank of America, you can now skate in Bryant Park for free! This part is small, but one of my favorites. It is located directly behind the main branch of the public library on 5th avenue. It doesn't seem very crowded during the week and they have a cute snack bar to get some hot chocolate at after wards. Also, this park is where they hold fashion week twice a year, so you're skating where models hang out. haha, ok random fact, but this is a fun winter activity and now you can avoid the tourists!
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There are a lot of restaurants by where I work in Manhattan, so we decided to try a new Italian one, Pazza Notte. The decorations were cute and festive and we sat in a roomy booth. First, they were...
There are a lot of restaurants by where I work in Manhattan, so we decided to try a new Italian one, Pazza Notte. The decorations were cute and festive and we sat in a roomy booth. First, they were out of ingredients to make two different drinks that we ordered. Annoying. The food was fine, nothing spectacular. But then something awful happened. About 2 hours later I had to leave work because I felt so hot, dizzy and uncomfortable. I spent the rest of the night in my bathroom. I got food poisoning from this restaurant! I ordered mussels, which have been a long time favorite, and they came in the standard white wine sauce with thin french fries. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but I don't know where they are getting their seafood from! I was so ill, and didn't feel 100% for a few days. Avoid this place if you work in midtown!
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Louis Licari salon is a posh 5th Avenue spot with cuts usually beginning at $150. Even if I had that kind of money to spend on a haircut, it just seems so wasteful! Luckily, if you call 2 weeks...
Louis Licari salon is a posh 5th Avenue spot with cuts usually beginning at $150. Even if I had that kind of money to spend on a haircut, it just seems so wasteful! Luckily, if you call 2 weeks ahead, you can sign up for their student cut classes on Monday/Tuesday evenings. Cuts are only $35! and I LOVE my new haircut! The students are certainly not amateurs. They are about to graduate and are supervised by a seasoned instructor who will come and fix anything you are unsatisfied with about your hair. My student had the instructor teach her a new framing technique and they went over it several times before she made a cut. My hair looks great and she gave me some blow drying tips too. This is a great way to get upscale haircuts for low scale prices. And I got lots of magazines to read and iced tea to drink. It was fun! Here's their site: http://www.louislicari.com/
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Lombardi's claims to be the first pizzeria to open in NYC. Lots of places around here claim authenticity like that, but this one really tastes great too! Tomato sauce usually makes or breaks it for...
Lombardi's claims to be the first pizzeria to open in NYC. Lots of places around here claim authenticity like that, but this one really tastes great too! Tomato sauce usually makes or breaks it for me, and this one is not sweet, but rich and tastes like a tomato! They use big chunks of mozzarella cheese, not shreds, and basil is a staple on all of their pizzas. The salad is also great, big enough to share between two people, and they make their own vinaigrette. The restaurant has a charming, old New York feel, complete with red and white checkered tablecloths. The service is fast and friendly too. There's usually a wait around dinner time, but I thought the pizza was worth it. The menu is pretty basic though: pizza, salad, calzones, beer...that's about it. Check it out: http://www.lombardispizza.com/pages/1/index.htm
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I don't really like rice pudding, but this restaurant in New York City serves only that! It's so colour full and fun, that I had to write about it. Rice to Riches looks like an ice cream parlor with...
I don't really like rice pudding, but this restaurant in New York City serves only that! It's so colour full and fun, that I had to write about it. Rice to Riches looks like an ice cream parlor with different flavors of pudding and even free samples of their many different offerings. Portions are served in this neat plastic containers that are reusable and come with a lid if you have left overs. I tried the "Chocolate Bear Hug", which tasted like a Rocher chocolate if you've ever had those. I like it because it tasted the least like rice pudding! But if that's your thing, then this is the place for you. They have funny sayings and signs all over the place, and they will overnight ship rice pudding to anywhere in the US! Even the website is just silly. Check it out and order some for the rice pudding lover in your life: http://www.ricetoriches.com/index.2.php
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My company hosted a dinner at Schiller's last night. Our experience before even stepping foot in the restaurant was terrible. We were a large party over 10, so the management made us sign a contract...
My company hosted a dinner at Schiller's last night. Our experience before even stepping foot in the restaurant was terrible. We were a large party over 10, so the management made us sign a contract and give credit card info in advance to hold the reservation. Kind of annoying, but an understandable policy. The female manager we spoke with on the phone a few times was super rude. She had a very "we're so cool" attitude and was very curt and pushy on the phone. They also claimed to have lost the contract and credit card info that we faxed over! When I personally called to say how irresponsible it was that our credit card information was mysteriously lost, I got a cold response and was just told to send it again. Losing a photocopy of the front and back of a credit card is not cool!
With all this happening even before our dinner, it looked bleak. However, Schiller's really redeemed themselves. Our waiter was such a character. He was friendly, talkative and so funny! He invited us all to his stand up show the next week. His service was excellent - there was never even a dry water glass on the table. And the food was very good. Their version of nachos is amazing and the toffee pudding I had for dessert was warm and rich. Too bad I was so full I couldn't finish it. The prices are also reasonable. So, a bad experience with the management, but a pleasant dining experience. Here's their site http://www.schillersny.com/home.html
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With winter approaching and ski season too, I thought it would be helpful to review some fabulous New England spots. I lived in New Hampshire for several years, so I definitely have a sense of the...
With winter approaching and ski season too, I thought it would be helpful to review some fabulous New England spots. I lived in New Hampshire for several years, so I definitely have a sense of the areas. I love this beautiful resort.
The Balsams is like something out of a fairy tale when you first see it: a pristine, white, castle-like resort next to a lake with tall pine trees all around it. The place is huge and definitely first rate. They have their own chefs that prepare every meal in their beautiful dining area. At one point they were even doing a culinary weekend where chefs from around the country had a sort of competition. The food is amazing - and you're in the middle of the woods, so there's no where to eat but here. I visited in the summer with my family, so the outdoor sports available where hiking, tennis, swimming (in the lake or in their pool), fishing, private golf course. There are so many adventurous activities and lots for children. It was so breathtaking to enjoy the outdoors here, because it is kind of remote so there's not much to spoil nature. Skiing is certainly close by and I think you can snow shoe or take a horse drawn sleigh ride on the property.
This may be a bad example, but it reminds me a little of the hotel from The Shining (w/out the murder and freaky factor...as far as I know!). It's that expansive, opulent kind of place where you can truly relax. They do run special weekends with reduced rates, and it is pretty far up north (probably closer to Canada than another state), but take a look at the pictures on the website and you will see how gorgeous it is. Also, just keep in mind that it gets cold here, like tears freezing in your eyes, can't feel the inside of your nose cold. http://www.thebalsams.com/
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