The Adore
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village, Manhattan/Union Square

17 E 13th Street
New York, NY 10003

Atif I. writes: Those of you who have seen The Joy Luck club, can probably recall and chuckle at the scene where the culturally challenged boyfriend (Rich) asks for and liberally douses the dish with soy sauce as a horrified family looks on.

There is a lot to be said…

Cafe Des Artistes

1 W 67th St
New York, NY 10023

Srini V. writes: We were there recently for an office dinner.  The crowd generally comprises middle aged couples, so our group of 10-12 was atypical.

The murals are stunning.  And the wine selection befits a restaurant of this standing.  The service was spotty.  The…

Dumont
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

432 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206

victoria h. writes: What a lovely space!!!
Enter Dumont and find a cozy atmosphere with inviting bar. Booths with THE coolest leather seats ever. Candle lit with painted white stamped tin ceiling. i'm lovin it.
Too bad M.F. wanted to eat in the frigid back room.…

Snack Taverna
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

63 Bedford Street
New York, NY 10014

Sam P. writes: Last week, after an unsuccessful bid for a table at Cafe Cluny, my friend and I wandered the winding streets of the West Village in search of sustenance.  We came upon this charming little place hidden in the cluster of restaurants on Bedford just…

Forbidden Planet
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village, Manhattan/Union Square

840 Broadway
New York, NY 10003

Keane L. writes: *GEEKSPLOSION!*

(Batman action figures!)

*NERDGASM!*

(Little Nemo in Slumberland!)

*DORKAPALOOZA!*

(A giant bust of Darth Vader! Classy!)

*ACCIO NERD REFERENCE!*

(That last one was kind of ironic...)

Tea Lounge
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope

350 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Parker L. writes: This is a hip little spot (I'm pretty sure there are a couple different places, actually), that offers your typical coffee-house lattes/mochas/etc. some pretty good pastries, and a nice selection of  teas.  AND, they have a good assortment of beers,…

Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
Neighborhood: Queens/Long Island City

2919 24th Ave
Astoria, NY 11102

Katie Q. writes: This place reminds me of the beginning of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory when they go into that room that gets smaller and smaller....they all say it's impossible to even fit inside and then suddenly a tiny door opens and they are next to a…

Basilica Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan/Theater District

676 9th Ave
New York, NY 10036

Aly W. writes: Imagine walking into a restaurant in midtown, and being seated at a table...and promptly given fresh bread and olives.
Then, imagine getting an appetizer, main course, and dessert....
AND A BOTTLE of wine.
now imagine all this costing...21 bucks.
I'm not…

192 Books
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Chelsea

192 10th Ave
at 21st St
New York, NY 10011

Heath R. writes: What a wonderful book shop! Given that it's near the gallery district along 22nd Street, it's no surprise that the focus is on art, design, photography, and other culturally caring subjects. Even the local books tend toward the arty, and the…

Strand Book Store Annex
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District

95 Fulton St
New York, NY 10038

Srini V. writes: If you are in the mood to buy books on photography and the arts, fine--shop here. If, on the other hand, you are looking to buy bestsellers or more mainstream stuff, avoid this place like the plague.

The service staff are friendly but often…

Broadway Panhandler
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

65 East 8th Street
New York, NY 10013

Ed U. writes: UPDATE - 05/27/2007

Gosh...they moved, and the new location is even better since it's in the heart of the Village now. Same stellar selection, same excellent service. I'll follow this store anywhere!

+++++++++++++++++++++

ORIGINAL REVIEW - 07/31/2006…

The Brooklyn Brewery
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - North Side

79 N 11th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Lindsay K. writes: The beer isn't that good, kids!

But who cares? You can order a motherfucking pizza from a plethora of local parlors, play a boardgame, and make out on happy hours for cheap. Did I mention the beer? Yeah, not that good. But did I mention the cheap?…

Chez Oskar
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Fort Greene

211 Dekalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Rozz N. writes: Lamb shank! LamB ShanK! LAMB MOTHERFU**IN SHANK!!!

......they sure do make you wait for it, tho!

Ceci-Cela
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Little Italy

55 Spring St
New York, NY 10012

Hourly D. writes: Hold me down... There is so much in this small French cafe that I want to put in my mouth!

Though at times useless (in a French kinda way) the (FRENCH) staff are pretty friendly and manage the, at times, lengthy cues of salivating customers with…

Union Picnic & Rotisserie
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - North Side

577 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Mert M. writes: Pulled pork sammy; put the slaw right on that s.o.b.
Hell yeah.
Never have had a bad meal from there.
I've had a lotta great meals there.
Big  portions , as well.
I like it.

Blue Note
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

131 W 3rd St
New York, NY 10012

christy c. writes: Went here for the first time a week ago to see Clark Terry Quintet.. Phenomenal!

We got there, waited in line, and like a good 20 people back? Sat in the front row. This place is AMAZING. Stantawn Kendrick, the sax guy? Brilliant...

Drinks not bad at…

Aphrodisia Herb Store
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

264 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10014

Raphael a. writes: if your a witch missing an ingredient for a spell, a holistic freak running low, or a health nut looking for that certain something, this herb store is the place. They have teas,medicinal herbs, magikal herbs, insence, even catnip for the beloved…

Estiatorio Milos
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District

125 W 55th St
New York, NY 10079

nicole h. writes: Absolutely unreal,

I had come here not knowing anything about this place with a bunch of people.  We were greeted very pleasantly by the staff as we walked in.  

The ambiance of the place had very clean lines and white everything while the restaurant…

Rosa Mexicano
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

1063 1st Ave
New York, NY 10022

Scott B. writes: "The vessel with the pestle holds the brew that is true."

That line has never been more accurate.  And the vessel is shaped like a pig.  The brew, of course, is the guacamole that Rosa Mexicano will prepare fresh right in front of you to your…

DB Bistro Moderne
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

55 West 44th St.
New York, NY 10079

Sam P. writes: Come on, you knew I wouldn't let my 400th review be of something in SF!  Instead I dedicate review number 400 to the $32 burger.  As Kate H points out, it's the place that started the expensive burger craze.  Leave it to Daniel Boulud to start to…

Food Network
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Meatpacking District, Manhattan/Chelsea

75 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Michael D. writes: Rachel Ray is Satan.

_______________

Daryl Roth Theatre
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Gramercy-Flatiron, Manhattan/Union Square

101 E 15th St
New York, NY 10003

Suzanne A. writes: i saw De La Guarda here a few times, and it was a perfect space to see their show.  if you ever have a chance to see them, do it.  it'll change your life, especially if you allow yourself to be a participant (see other reviews for what i mean...like…

March Restaurant
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

405 E 58th St
New York, NY 10022

Nish N. writes: Went there with my parents for dinner, had an amazing dinner, it is one of the best kept secrets in Manhattan. Chef Wayne Nish practically seduces with his perfect take on the New American  dining experience. When he found out my first name, he came…

Ici
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Fort Greene

246 Dekalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11226

Scott B. writes: The bacon comes in sticks!  It's the juiciest, thickest, fattiest, most amazing, to-die-for thing ever.  Delicious, delightful, and delovely.

The coffee sucks beyond the telling of it, and it comes with 2% milk and sugar in the raw, neither of which…

Mario Badescu Skin Care Inc
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

320 E 52nd St
New York, NY 10022

Norah K. writes: Let's be clear: I do not get facials to pamper myself, I get them out of pure, urban necessity. In my experience, if your facial is a generally calm and relaxing event it probably means it didn't make a dent of difference to your skin. I've been…

Dragonfly
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

47-49 7th Ave S
New York, NY 10014

Liiisa C. writes: J'adore dragonflies --

Such beautiful insects: http://photos.somd.com...

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Leslie Cheung's Dragonfly song.  Such tragic lyrics (in Chinese).

I'd heard good things about the restaurant, but I never got around to trying it.  Now…

Takashimaya
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

693 5th Ave
New York, NY 10022

Nish N. writes: Good Lord, could someone please tell my boss to increase my salary so that I can afford to shop here more often? Takashimaya is a department store but with an Eastern (and in particular Japanese) sensibility.

Everything from their home accessories…

Hotel Roger Williams
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Murray Hill

131 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10016

Vikram A. writes: This is a hotel that really gets the little touches down right. For example, in the bathroom, there is a holder for your toothbrush/toothpaste. Normally, I have to grab a glass and use that for the duration, but this was already there.

Also, most…

Chanterelle
Neighborhood: Manhattan/TriBeCa

2 Harrison St
New York, NY 10013

anita c. writes: My husband and I have talked about going to Chanterelle for years, ever since we bought David Waltuck's "Staff Meals" cookbook and fell in love. Anyone who cooks this well for their own employees, we reasoned, must do truly amazing things for their…

DO Hwa
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

55 Carmine St
New York, NY 10014

Sienna K. writes: Warning: I am a complete Debbie Downer when it comes to Korean food (amongst many other things). I can't help myself. I ate this 365 days a year (we had kimchi next to the turkey in Thanksgiving, oh yeah), and I ate it for cheap. So I can't help it…

Tea & Sympathy
Neighborhood: Manhattan/West Village

108 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011

Norah K. writes: Something about rules and discipline have appealed to me from a very young age- my nursery school had graduation, I took ballet class and I always did my homework. Therefore when I go to Tea & Sympathy, I don't mind getting a list of rules on my…

Temple
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

81 Saint Marks Pl
New York, NY 10003

Edward F. writes: Temple is very small...the tables are very close together.

But what Temple lacks in size, they make up for it with their excellent Korean dishes and warm service (your orders are usually taken and brought out by the lovely, gracious and very…

Williamsburg Bridge

Delancey Street and Roebling Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Kate B. writes: The Williamsburg Bridge is my favorite pedestrian pathway in NYC. I used to finish up customer orders and walk over the bridge to ship the packages out from Manhattan. And when I was out listening to bands on the LES, I could always spend my last bit…

Galapagos Art Space
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - North Side

70 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Furyk C. writes: Isle Galapagos
Reflecting my drunkenness
You swim in my head

Sisters Wa Wa gone
No more cheezy Ritz crackers
Or trapeze panties

B-burg? no SoHo
The 'cool' is moving eastward
Jocks and Bops live here

Jane
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

100 W Houston St
New York, NY 10012

Rob K. writes: Let's talk about generations. Let's talk about how my mother and I can never agree on the virtues of any place except our living room. But then, let's talk about Jane.

We went for the much-celebrated brunch. We were late for our reservation, and they…

Hop Kee
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Civic Center

21 Mott St
New York, NY 10013

kristine r. writes: Yes, Hop Kee is like an institution for Filipino families.  It's got good food where there's always plenty of room and we can be loud and get our hands dirty eating.  I've been going here since I was a kid and I still love it.  I think the Chinese…

Rosario Bistro
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District

38 Pearl St
New York, NY 10004

Chris J. writes: You get what you pay for at Rosario's.  $6.25 for a generous medium helping of pasta.  It tastes fine and it holds you over.  I wouldn't eat here daily, but once in a while it breaks up the monotony of soups/salads/sandos.  I would avoid this on a…

Zeytuna Market
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District

59 Maiden Ln Bsmt
New York, NY 10038

Marlo W. writes: I'd heard a lot about Zeytuna...after all, it is one of a handful of grocery stores in FiDi...and there's the eatery.

When you walk in, there are slotted stairs (the kind I feel like I'm going to trip on and my foot will go in between, making for a…

Turkey's Nest
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - North Side

94 Bedford Ave
at N. 12th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Danielle H. writes: Nothing says spring is here like Margarita's in a to-go cup to take to McCarren park. Yep, I do love the Turkey's Nest.

It's true,  they aren't very environmentally conscious with the styrofoam cups.  Maybe I'll bring my own cup this year and ask…

St. Dymphna's
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

118 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10009

Norah K. writes: I've come here after seeing movies in the East Village for a pint of Guinness. I've had the break up conversation here over a pint of Guinness. I've nursed my new year's hangover here with a pint of Guinness. I've made out with my secret boyfriend…