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Rating Distribution
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Review votes:
9839 Useful, 4026 Funny, and 8739 Cool
New York, NY
Yelping SinceSeptember 2005
Things I LoveYelp, hapas, super burritos, tea, Kold-Draft ice, my Jiffy steamer, fish tacos, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, blowouts, New York Times, black & white cookies, champagne, French macarons, Pandora, community food security, Priceline, scallion cream cheese, tenzaru soba
Find Me InChelsea, NoMad, or in transit to and from NYC, WAS, PHL, LON, BOS, YTO.
My HometownWhat happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (well, usually...)
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm facilitating fun, savoring NYT Op-Eds or slurping Japanese noodles
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI was born with a reliable antenna of social trends and epicurean longings
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadJhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies
My First Concertwas put on by a boy band that enjoyed massive success in the early 1990s
My Favorite MovieLife Is Beautiful
My Last Meal On Earthwill be lovingly prepared by Chef Thomas Keller at The French Laundry
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...there is no truth. There is only perception.
Most Recent DiscoveryFrugal Fannie's
Current CrushEscaping New York City for fresh air climes; pictures of baby animals
Date
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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10/24/2008
After Crispo made this year's Michelin "Big Gourmand" picks (restaurants where you can get two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less) I made a reservation and hoped to find a tasty, tasty bargain.
The interior of the restaurant has a toasty feeling, perfect for the many cool nights ahead. My dining companion and I slipped into a two top on the far side of the dining room. Our server was a no nonsense chap who knew his way around Crispo's food and wine menus and gave us some fantastic recommendations.
We went with the lamb chops, along with some risotto balls and a couple of vegetable sides. With the addition of wine, dinner at Cripso turned out to be a hearty meal. Not sure if I'd call the restaurant a "bargain" but doubtless it was good value.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242-3699
Hakata Ton Ton
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: West Village
In 2000, I celebrated my birthday at the Indian Oven in San Francisco http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2001, we ate dim sum on my birthday and the next day departed for a week long holiday in Hawaii.
In 2002, a broken heart necessitated French food (which, if you must know, was eaten in a replica Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas) with my BFF and then, a plane ticket to Southeast Asia.
In 2003, we had a candlelight vigil outside the Latin tapas restaurant before my birthday party in Berkeley. My pal MJ was sent to Kuwait two months earlier; thankfully he returned home safely http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2004, I invited my friends 'round for a tea party (and wore a tiara!) http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2005, I had a series of birthday meals in San Francisco at La Folie http://www.yelp.com/bi..., Oola http://www.yelp.com/bi... and Campton Place http://www.yelp.com/bi.... There was also a birthday brunch on the Embarcadero http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2006, I had picadillo, one of my favorite Cuban dishes, at my birthday party and even got the pinata I wished for http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2007, I had one last birthday brunch with all of my friends just before I left San Francisco to move to Washington, DC http://www.yelp.com/bi...
In 2008, I marked my first (and only) birthday in DC. Some terrific yelpers threw me a surprise birthday party at my favorite wine bar on Capitol Hill http://www.yelp.com/bi... and my favorite Washingtonian took me to a special dinner http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This year I fêted my birthday as a New Yorker! Eight of us went to the West Village to stuff ourselves silly ordering the tasting menu (and more!) at Hakata Ton Ton. It was absolute heaven for me with free-flowing sake and beer, gyoza, Japanese potato salad, noodles, grilled pork, shabu shabu, Japanese soup risotto (cooked with the shabu shabu soup), cheese mousse and black sesame ice cream. And for good measure, cupcakes (thanks to Chantelle!)
Our group stayed for something like four hours that night and we were definitely the loudest in the place. If the folks at Hakata Tonton minded, they never let on. And so, for their graciousness and great food, I dedicate my 2000th review to Hakata Tonton for facilitating such a fabulous birthday fête.
New York, NY 10014
(646) 810-7290
Los Dados
Category: Mexican
Neighborhoods: Meatpacking District, West Village
The lunch special looked promising with its host of choices and moderate price: $11. Unfortunately, the rice and beans imparted an odd aftertaste (herbaceous or was that dishwashing soap?) And the chicken tacos were lacking in flavor all together.
Given the acute insufficiency of decent Mexican options close to home (and on the East Coast generally), I'd probably give Los Dados one more shot, if only for the promise shown in the chips.
New York, NY 10011
(212) 639-9675
Chelsea Waterside Park
Categories: Playgrounds, Swimming Pools
Neighborhood: Chelsea
He had an absolute blast here and I was able to capture tons of great photos of him playing. On a hot day I can't imagine a better place in Manhattan for a kid to cool off.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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7/26/2008 First to Review
It's crazy hot and I'm walking along the West Side Highway back to the office from a meeting. Sun's beating down and I'm longing for the icy cold air I'll be immersed in once I'm back at my desk.
As I approach West 23rd I hear lots of laughing and something that sounds like splashing. And out of nowhere it appears: Chelsea Waterside Park.
Like a mirage in the desert this park was! I begin wishing I'd worn a swimming costume under my dress so I could frolic in the water with the rest of the kids; they're running under water-filled play structures by Kompan, a Danish company that specializes in "unique play environments." Totally put the water-spitting turtle in my childhood park in Las Vegas to shame!
If you have a kid and you haven't yet brought him or her to this park to play, what are you waiting for?
Located at West 23rd Street and the West Side Highway Chelsea Waterside Park was designed by prominent landscape architect Thomas Balsley (Balsley Park on 57th Street named in his honor).
While the water was most seductive to me in the summer heat, this park also has a dog run, basketball court and plenty of green space. I plan on being a regular here.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 929-6868
Perilla
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: West Village
That our server had the kitchen split our spicy duck meatballs was a nice touch; this appetizer was as terrific as I'd remembered it to be. The broth was especially nice when sopped of with bread.
Resisting side dishes is a weakness of mine, I admit, so there was no way I could not order the creamed local corn. Simple though it may have been, we both loved it and polished off every bite along with our entrees.
We skipped dessert (with the intention of going in search of the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck) but I probably won't on my next visit.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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3/2/2009
Below is an excerpt from a conversation conducted via text between me and my doppelgänger on a recent Saturday afternoon.
Mi: Dinner plans tonight?
Doppelgänger: No! Let's!
Mi: Cool, Japanese?
Doppelgänger: Co. in your hood? I had Japanese last night.
Mi: No Co. Done that and wait will be insane. What else ya got?
At this point I turn to my bookmarks and Perilla pops up. I snag a reservation and text back.
Mi: What about Perilla? At 7?
Doppelgänger: WTF? I'm texting you that!
Mi: Shut up! I made a res. It's been in my bookmarks forever!
Doppelgänger: Hahahaha, me too!
That is how we ended up at Perilla - further proof that doppelgängers don't just resemble you they also crave the same foods and bookmark the same restaurants!
I feel like I was able to try a broad swath of the menu, thanks to dining with two folks who were as keen as me on sharing. I loved the duck meatballs and was really pleased with the different fish preparations, especially my entree - a wreckfish special. Perilla has a way with fish!
I dined here with two of the most discriminating folks I know and we all left supremely satisfied - not just with the food but also with the service and the space. The only thing that could have made the experience better would have been the chance to say hello to Harold!
Westwood, MA 02090
(781) 329-8990
Frugal Fannie's Fashion Warehouse
Categories: Department Stores, Women's Clothing
I appreciate warnings like this as they allow me to manage my own expectations. Still, I was in a hunting mood and convinced that treasures awaited me inside this Westwood, Massachusetts store situated in a nondescript roadside strip mall. Even the prospect of a communal dressing room couldn't lessen my relentless optimism.
Frugal Fannie's appeared a lot like a Costco inside but in the place of industrial size bags of Cape Cod potato chips and multi-gallon jugs of juice there were racks of dresses and endless rows of shoes.
With laser-like focus, I scanned the offerings and came away with eight incredible finds including:
- Purple Ted Baker dress
- Yellow silk Molly B dress with navy grosgrain ribbon embellishments on the shoulders (the find of the day at just $20!)
- Fuchsia Tahari dress, perfect for a more formal occasion in the fall
- Super soft organic cotton Loomstate t-shirt
Frugal Fannie's website implores, "Mothers, bring your daughters!" I'll add to that sentiment and say bring any woman you love here (just remember to have a snack before you go because getting lost in this warehouse for two or more hours is not only possible, it is highly likely!)
I continued to acquiesce to the restaurant's allure and settled into a banquette and ordered the purple potato flatbread with truffle creme fraiche, the special of the evening - a whole roasted fish and finished off with the Malta braised short ribs.
If there was any doubt in my mind about Nyood's culinary prowess, it dissipated after the first bite of the purple potato flatbread. The peppery mizuna sprinkled atop provided an unexpected balance to a dish that could've easily gone the way of starch overload. And while I quite enjoyed the short ribs too, the standout dish of the night for me was the whole fish. It was simply prepared: grilled and served with lemon. Each bite was glorious.
Should you find yourself in the mood for a glass (or bottle) of red wine, dismiss the silly moniker and get the Sexy from Portugal. Admittedly, Sexy is a horrid name for a wine and the bottle's pink label is even worse. But I must implore you to give Sexy a chance; this Touriga Nacional blend did not disappoint!
I imagine Nyood to be a terrific choice for the following occasions:
Afer-work drinks at the bar
Group dinner
Romantic date (though probably not a first date)
For folks staying at the Drake Hotel, Nyood is just a short jaunt - the restaurant came highly recommended to me by Ana at the front desk. As a result, I'll trust her taste implicitly from now on.
New York, NY 10010
(212) 979-5469
Frank's Express Pizza
Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: Flatiron
I ordered a plain, a Sicilian with mushrooms and pepperoni and a veggie for some hungry Community Managers. I didn't get the Sicilian, instead I got another pizza that appeared exactly the same as the plain but with mushrooms and pepperoni on top.
These overly doughy, lackluster pies reminded me to, in future, direct the calories and cash I have earmarked for pizza toward other outlets.
Toronto, ON M6J 1X2
Canada
(416) 535-2828
Lakeview Lunch
Categories: Diners, American (New)
Neighborhood: Little Italy
The problem: Hunger pangs
The solution: Lakeview Restaurant
This charming Dundas West diner serves up a mean chili (for those that like it mild be forewarned that they don't skimp on spice) and their salads aren't half bad either. Prices are exceedingly fair and our server was adequately attentive (it's a diner, I didn't require silver service!)
Sure, you'll queue up for the privilege of sitting at the counter to sample these earthly delights. But I can assure you this: the food is worth the wait, especially if you drink wine while in line!
218 Lists
3 Events
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CMYE - Michael Jackson Tribute
Monday 6:30 PM -
CMYE Time to get happy @ The International!
Thursday 6:00 PM -
Sunday Funday Roast
July 12 12:30 PM
We snagged a table outside, ordered Fuji apples, prosciutto and parmigiano to start and watched the rainbow-clad revelers heading east from the Dance on the Pier. Turns out, Crispo's perfect no matter the temperature.
And the spaghetti and meatballs tasted even better for breakfast the next morning!