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Saga
Category:
Food & Dining
1268 Amsterdam Ave
New York, New York 10027
(212) 666-2996
There's a new Japanese/Vietnamese place on Amsterdam near 123rd. It has a sushi bar and a bubble tea menu, which are both definitely welcome additions to the area.
On a recent visit, my husband...
There's a new Japanese/Vietnamese place on Amsterdam near 123rd. It has a sushi bar and a bubble tea menu, which are both definitely welcome additions to the area.
On a recent visit, my husband and I tried the summer rolls with chicken. The sauces were pretty good, and the wraps included both fresh mint and basil. My only complaint is that the rolls were not tightly wrapped so it got pretty messy. Strangely enough, the miso soup was really flavorful the first time we visited, which was the first week or so the restaurant was open. Now, as few months later, the soup was unremarkable. Maybe just an off day.
After the soup, I had a few pieces of sushi (unagi and hamachi, both pretty good) as well as one of the daily special rolls called spicy girl (black pepper tuna with spicy tuna and roe on top). Delicious. My husband had an avocado roll and a sweet potato roll which were pretty good, but not phenomenal.
On a previous trip, I tried the curry chicken lunch bento box, which was good, but not something I will probably recommend or crave in the future.
To drink there is a bubble tea menu and Vietnamese ice coffee, as well as some sake, beer, and wine choices.
All in all, the restaurant is pleasant and clean, the sushi is pretty good. I am interested in trying the Vietnamese some other time. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, but does not compete with the nicer sushi places in the city.
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Sephora
Category:
Cosmetics
2103 Broadway
New York, New York 10023
(212) 362-1500
Not a big fan of department stores or drug stores when it comes to makeup.
I don't really like the atmosphere of the makeup counters at department stores (my only good experience was at...
Not a big fan of department stores or drug stores when it comes to makeup.
I don't really like the atmosphere of the makeup counters at department stores (my only good experience was at Nordstrum), so I do usually end up at the drug store, but there, you can't really try things out and ask questions.
I think the 3rd option is a place like Sephora or Mac, which have store fronts in malls, and also carry things online.
I've had good experiences at both places--they tend to have people who know a lot about the products and you can try things out before you buy them. Because I usually stick with the same things, I like these stores because they encourage me to branch out a little and at least make me aware of the current trends (though I seldom seem to adopt them).
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Accidentally associated my review with the location on W 11th:
http://www.judysbook.com/members/Audra/posts/2006/8/422366/
Accidentally associated my review with the location on W 11th:
http://www.judysbook.com/members/Audra/posts/2006/8/422366/
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PLEASE NOTE: This review was meant for the French Roast location on Broadway, which can be found...
PLEASE NOTE: This review was meant for the French Roast location on Broadway, which can be found here:
http://www.judysbook.com/cities/newyork/Restaurants/117883/p1/French_Roast_II.htm
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This is a great place to go and hang out with friends. The menu has a small but nice selection of salads and entrees. There is a decent wine list, and a few great beers on tap. The filter coffee is good (one of the few places I think the decaf tastes ok), and in cooler weather, I love getting the cappuccino in the big bowl cups. In good weather, the seating outside is nice (although there is scaffolding right now). The waitstaff are pleasant. They are not constantly refilling water, but then again, they're also not on top of you to leave. It's also nice they are open 24 hours.
I know I've used the word nice a lot, but that's most appropriate word in this case, I think. :)
Beware the tables are pretty close together here, so it's best in a group of 3 or 4, where you all sit together, instead of having another couple you don't know sitting right next to you. Also, the neighborhood yuppie breeders like to force their humongous baby carriages and park them in any available space (which could be your path to the bathroom, or where you were planning on parking your right elbow). Why can't these people use strollers that fold up like everyone else? Ok, now I'm digressing...
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Blue Angel Restaurant opened a few years ago in our neighborhood. It had a bit of a slow start, but after a couple of remodels and couple of years, this place seems to be hitting its stride. We went...
Blue Angel Restaurant opened a few years ago in our neighborhood. It had a bit of a slow start, but after a couple of remodels and couple of years, this place seems to be hitting its stride. We went in for dinner tonight and it was hopping (no wait list, but most tables were full).
FOOD: This place has consistently excellent Thai food (they also have a sushi bar, but I have not taken advantage of it yet). The menu is extensive--in addition to the standard curries and pad thai, they also have many other chili-based dishes, with some good vegetarian options. We have eaten in a few times, but usually order in and it is always tasty. Added bonus is that the prices are really reasonable. Most of the dishes are around $10, and a sizable glass of house wine was $4.
AMBIANCE: Lovely romantic lighting, some interesting cushy seats in the front window (would be nice if you were just having drinks, or waiting for a table). The tables are not too close together, which is always nice, especially in this city. There is a beautiful frieze sculpture-looking thing on the wall behind the bar. They also have live jazz some nights of the week (tonight was a guitar/bass combo, but I think I've seen trios on the weekend). Really lovely.
SERVICE: Ok, now for the downside. The service is not good. The intentions are good, but there was only one waitress for the whole dining room, and even though there were a few other people hanging around (owners?), they were not much help, and the guy who sometimes helped fill water was apparently more needed in the kitchen. Also, it seemed very disorganized. The waitress was bringing items out one at a time. When our food came, it was not really ours (meant for another table) and the waitress was walking around a little crazed saying "who ordered this curry?!" (she finally identified the owner). The service was inconsistent from table to table. At the table next to us (of 4, we were 2 people), they sat down 15 minutes after us, received their meals before us and then left a good 10 minutes before us. It just seemed very weird. Also 3 of the 4 people were practically done with their meals (Thai dishes from the kitchen) before the 4th person even received their sushi, which was sitting at the sushi bar for almost that entire time. It just didn't seem like the guy at the sushi bar (who was not busy and could have easily walked 10 feet to deliver it) or the owners standing around, had a clue. As you can probably tell, it stressed me out just a bit watching it all go down. It just seemed weird.
Anyway, our food was great and the price was right. Along with the setting, it really makes up for the slow, scatter-brained service. I think we'll go back to ordering in from this place (delivery is ironically pretty quick), and visit again when we have lot's of time to drink wine and wait for our food!
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My friend and I ate in the Aquavit Cafe last night and really enjoyed it. Unlike the formal dining room, the cafe is more casual dress, but the service is still impeccable and the food...
My friend and I ate in the Aquavit Cafe last night and really enjoyed it. Unlike the formal dining room, the cafe is more casual dress, but the service is still impeccable and the food fantastic.
We both had the prix fixe menu ($37). The herring appetizer I had allowed me to try the differently spiced options--they were all delicious. My friend had the shrimp salad toast, which she also enjoyed. For my main entree, I had the chicken. I was worried that the chicken was "playing it safe" and that it would be bland. Luckily, it was very nicely presented and flavored--it was actually quite rich, especially for chicken (also a bit salty, but I liked it). My friend had the Swedish meatballs, which were not the little BBQ ones I grew up eating at potlucks. They were large and flavorful (despite not swimming in BBQ sauce ;-)), and served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.
For dessert, we both had the chocolate peanut butter cake, which is served with sorbet and citrus salad. Like everything else, it was beautifully presented and very rich and delicious.
You can add wine pairings to the prix fixe for $20 more, but we decided to do our own thing. My friend had just one glass of pinot grigio, and I did an aquavit sampler (flight of 3 for $17). The choice of flavors was impressive and ranged from sweet to savory, all pretty unusual. I like spice, so I opted for the Mango-Lime-Chili, Saffron, and Pear-Vanilla-Black Pepper aquavits. The MLC and PVB were both good, the infusion definitely ruled the vodka. The saffron on the other hand, was not very strong, so it mostly tasted of vodka. Not bad, I'm still glad I tried it. I'd definitely like to try some of the other flavors they have at another time (Horseradish, Raspberry-Lime-Ginger, Pumpkin-Espresso, etc.. the list goes on).
In addition to their regular menu and prix fixe menu, they offer a Swedish Home Cooking meals menu which is different every night, Monday-Thursday, and includes an entree and dessert for $20.
All in all, if you are looking for a nice dinner out, I recommend this place. You will be well taken care of, and enjoy some delicious Scandinavian food.
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Daisy May's has great Texas-style BBQ. The main problem for me is that the location is a bit out of the way (46th St and 11th Ave). To compensate they cater and have a few carts around midtown and...
Daisy May's has great Texas-style BBQ. The main problem for me is that the location is a bit out of the way (46th St and 11th Ave). To compensate they cater and have a few carts around midtown and one downtown (locations: http://www.daisymaysbbq.com/streetcarts.html)
CATERING: I've used the catering for work meetings a few times and it's always a big hit. The types of things they do well (bbq brisket and chicken, mac-n-cheese) can be done in large quantities.
CARTS: I used to go to the cart on 49th b/w 6th and 7th, but it has either moved to 56th and 6th, or they have added a new one. The menu at the carts is of course limited, but the things I've had have been good and the prices are decent: chili (kind of spicy, $6), brisket sandwich ($7). Also, they sell huge mason jars with sweet, mint tea ($3), which is a nice treat, especially in the hot weather.
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Went to brunch here for the second time in the last few months. The food here is great and a pretty good value.
FOOD/DRINK: Coffee is all fair trade and excellent. OJ we had tasted fresh. The...
Went to brunch here for the second time in the last few months. The food here is great and a pretty good value.
FOOD/DRINK: Coffee is all fair trade and excellent. OJ we had tasted fresh. The food is all organic, freshly prepared, and yummy to boot! I had a tasty frittata with basil and red bell peppers, and my husband had the asparagus omelet which he described as the best he ever had (I had a bite, it was pretty good). Each came with a small side salad, home fries, and dense little cornbread that had raisins in it for about $8 each.
Other choices on the brunch menu included a small variety of pancakes and french toast. Also, they have a selection of big salads and sandwiches.
For those interested in just popping in for a coffee/tea and pastry, they have some homemade muffins and pastries (with and without gluten, with and without sugar). Additionally, they have some ready-made sandwiches and some delicious looking desserts.
SERVICE/ATMOSTPHERE: During brunch, one side of the restaurant is table service and the other side for those going up to the counter and then hanging out with their books/laptops.
The service is friendly, though be prepared to wait a bit for your food to be made--they have a small kitchen that sometimes has a difficult time keeping up with demand.
Atmosphere is nice--there are nice big windows and music in the background--but the tables are rather small and close together. Additionally, it can get a little warm in there with said windows and crowd.
All in all, I would recommend this place for a place to hang out and study, or for a light meal alone, or with just another person.
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Essex
Category:
Food & Dining
120 Essex St
New York, New York 10001
(212) 533-9616
Ate brunch at the Essex Restaurant today with a group of 10 to celebrate a friends birthday. Overall, I would say it was a good experience. For $15 you get an entrée, coffee and three drinks (bloody...
Ate brunch at the Essex Restaurant today with a group of 10 to celebrate a friends birthday. Overall, I would say it was a good experience. For $15 you get an entrée, coffee and three drinks (bloody mary, screwdriver, or mimosa). Not a bad deal at all.
MENU: Especially nice was how varied the brunch menu was. Options included standard eggs, omelets, challah french toast, and variations on eggs benedict, but also included yummy mac-n-cheese dish, matzo brie, Mexican brie (looked like migas to me), and burger.
DRINKS: brunch drinks were cheap ($3 each, or 3 included with brunch), but you get what you pay for. They make a whole bunch at once and leave them on the bar. I'm sure this reduces the amount of time to get people their drinks, but you end up with weak, watered-down drinks. Probably helps people keep from drinking too much!
SPACE: The space itself was nice. The high-ceilings of the two-story place, as well as the light coming in from the high windows gave it a pretty nice feeling. It definitely helped off-set the crowds. There is seating on the ground level and at both ends of the restaurant in loft-type spaces (I feel sorry for the staff having to carry the dishes up and down the stairs!).
SERVICE: The hostess was obviously harried, the place went from busy to packed while we were there. It took about 15 minutes for us to get menus (we had drinks and good conversation, so not so bad), and our server seemed annoyed with us throughout (she was much busier texting on her phone than paying attention to her tables). The real kicker seemed to be when she added the gratuity onto the bill. It was hand-written on there, and was more than 20%. MORE THAN 20%! I was appalled. I can understand 18%, *maybe* 20% automatically tacked on for a large table if the service is good, but it was not. I think she figured we wouldn't look and she was going to get her tip either way.
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Toast
Category:
Restaurants
3157 Broadway
New York, New York 10027
(212) 662-1144
I love this place. It is a great place to have a pint or two and the food's not bad either.
FOOD/DRINK: The salads and burgers are pretty good. I recommend the grilled salmon salad (probably not...
I love this place. It is a great place to have a pint or two and the food's not bad either.
FOOD/DRINK: The salads and burgers are pretty good. I recommend the grilled salmon salad (probably not low-fat or healthy, but really consistently delicious), but the fries are most excellent (I find it best to order the salad and bring someone along who will order a sandwich or burger and is willing to share their fries). Another great thing about this place is the beer. They have a decent selection of draft beers which always includes some interesting things on the rotating taps. We have often tasted these beers before we decide, which led us to try beers we wouldn't normally think of trying.
ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere is relaxed. The prices are pretty darn cheap. The service is usually attentive and is always friendly. There's a palpable feeling of camaraderie. I can't really say for sure why, but I suspect it might be that many of the wait staff and bartenders have worked there for as long as been there as long as we have been going (last few years) and there are definitely regulars that hang out there, but if doesn't seem clique-y.
There are a lot of students here from the nearby music school, seminaries and teacher's college. I don't know if it is because they tend to be post-undergrad, but the student crowd is not annoying like it can be at places a little further down Broadway.
DOWNSIDES: Often times we go there is a short wait, but I don't think we've ever been able to finish our beer at the bar before we got a table.
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