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Michael "Check-In Where I Step In" W.'s Profile

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132 Reviews

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212 W 79th St
New York, NY 10024
(212) 873-0688

Afrigenix  

Category: Hair Salons
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

2.0 star rating
Update - 4/12/2012 4 Check-ins Here
The first person to tug and pull on my hair, on this Loc Journey,  is the one that is rewashing and re-rolling my hair.  She washed out the pattern and tugged at the loc-ing hair while shampooing. After the re-roll, the hair was super soft. Six hours later, at least fourteen of the locs on the left side broke off.

As I removed my doo rag, I see dead dreadlocks. Then I wished I was face deep in Mary Jane. I haven't been back. I am discerning whether to go back. My hair is growing in an erratic pattern. I may have to wait four or five months to see if it is salvageable.

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  • 3.0 star rating
    1/2/2012

    I called to set an appointment to start my locs, about three weeks in advance. I was told that the next available date was right after the holiday (which is still considered the holiday.) Did not mind. I was quoted a fantastic price. I am jubilant and anxious.

    When I arrived, there was a hairdresser and two young patrons were getting braids. They were so uncomfortable having a male in the room that they announced it. "You Scare me! This place is closed! You are not supposed to be here. I am supposed to have this place all to myself!"

    Saturated by all of this angst, my mundane reply was that I have an appointment. I quickly pulled out my Nook.

    Another lady arrived, about a half hour later. She came to me and gave me an overview of her hair loc process. She pitched her products. And went over the guidelines to make the process smooth, which included an eight week ban from washing my hair.

    The hairdresser that was working with the yelling patron washed my hair, prepped, and gel twisted my hair. An hour later, I was done and happy with the job.

    The price that the late arriving hairdresser rings is not the price I was quoted. She believes that 'twists' are not starter locs. She wants haggle banter. I can't play that game.We, eventually, reach an agreement.

    I do like their hair product. I am a fan of their oils. And the hairdresser that twisted my hair, put me to sleep, several times, while tugging and lubing my hair.

    Depending on how these gel twists last will determine my frequency into a den, feeling uninvited. Socially, I felt so rushed, that I still do not know anyone's name there.

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666 amsterdam ave
Manhattan, NY 10025
(646) 678-3702

New Asia  

Category: Chinese
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

2.0 star rating
Update - 2/16/2012
The only thing I like on their menu is the dumplings. I tried their Egg Foo Yung (tasteless), their Orange Beef, (where's the orange, and their Lo Mein. Really, I found myself asking for the MSG. Even their hot oil is not hot.

So when I order my dumplings, pan seared, I truly do not expect them to be soggy, limp, and desprately seeking self esteem classes.  They were good fifteen times in a row. Please do not disappoint me again.

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  • 3.0 star rating
    2/24/2011

    Their fried Chicken Dumplings are so far one thing I will re-order.   The Sweet and Sour Sauce is nothing special. But together, there is a little 'wonder twins' action for the taste buds.

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  • 2.0 star rating
    2/18/2011 First to Review

    In this well lit space, there is a table of four women, who are thrashing the food in front of them. If they had manicures, those nails are headed towards a digestive hell.  The way, one in particular, was gnawing on a rib, made me long for a Pitbull. *sigh* Because of them, the nameless ravenous horde of divas, my anticipation was through the roof.  

    But I did not want to get the usual (Wings, French Fries, Fried Rice.) In fact, they (the counter staff) expect to get many orders of them, since their counter had troop formations of ketchup and Hot Sauce bottles. I believe that the bottles could hold 64 oz of each condiment. Freakin' huge!!!

    I order an Egg Drop Soup and a Pork Mei Fun.  Together it was only seven bucks. It took about eleven minutes to come out. One thing I noticed was I couldn't see the cook. I was trying! I do like on the receipt, the order is written in Chinese and English.

    The Egg Drop Soup just tasted like hair oil. Aw lawd, i am about to perm my tongue. Jerome, get the mirror!!!  Very lackluster and tasteless.  I drank it as if I was double dared, quickly and without a grimace.

    The Pork Mei Fun also had no flavor. Maybe, the ingredients were supposed to have a conversation with me. Maybe they were lost in translation.  I was happy that I requested a chili pepper sauce. I received a 4 oz. Ramekin of it.  It was fire! Good warmth saved the dish!!!

    It is the first day, so I cannot say I won't go back. I just do not want to resort to just ordering wings and such. They have fried items on their menu like 'chicken balls. '  Be afraid!!!!

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528 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10024
(212) 787-3153

Pizza Pete's  

Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

4.0 star rating
2/7/2012 5 Check-ins Here
My favorite sit-in. Two slices earns a free soda. Plus King of Queens or How I met Your Mother is normally on.

The Meat Lover's Pizza and their Margherita Pizza is normally first rate.  There are usually eight or nine choices on hand.

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536 W 112th St
New York, NY 10025
(212) 865-1588

Book Culture  

Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Morningside Heights

4.0 star rating
2/7/2012 6 Check-ins Here
My Holiday Nook will take a silent step backwards to the Book Culture's grab table of Modern Philosophy and Poetry Books.  

This place is a bibliophile's Tardis. It just looks small from the outside.

The place is browser friendly. And have a friendly, helping, and knowledgeable staff.

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2843 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
(212) 222-1712

Chipotle  

Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Manhattan Valley

4.0 star rating
Update - 2/7/2012
The line here reminds me of the god awfully long Williamsburg Summer Brunch lines. They do not move. Or so it appears. The beer and burrito combo can still shut me up. No complaints.

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  • 3.0 star rating
    2/9/2011

    You really cannot go wrong with a big booty burrito plus a side of guac and chips.  As much as I hate lines, it is so well worth it. Plus I like the Negra Modelo beer.

    The hardest part of Chipotle is finding a seat. They should know that big booties get the 'itis quick...Sheesh!

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248 W 106th St
New York, NY 10025
(212) 666-2662

East Dumpling House  

Category: Chinese
Neighborhood: Manhattan Valley

4.0 star rating
2/7/2012 15 Check-ins Here
The Pork and chive dumplings and the Veggie dumplings were not as plump as I anticipated. Still good though.  The dipping sauce spilled in the takeout container. Didn't really need it. They were pulverized!  Next time I will not not forget the Chili Sauce!

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422 Amsterdamn Ave
New York, NY 10024
(212) 877-7934

Island Burgers and Shakes  

Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

4.0 star rating
2/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
A veggie Genoa sandwich paired with Grilled Asparagus held me down for an entire lunch shift. Incredible. The Mozzarella cheese slices were thick and wore the Pesto like a winner from the Masters. There could have been more roasted peppers, red onions, and tomatoes. But there was enough to pull the sandwich apart, and eat four open faced treats. The grilled asparagus was drowning in Parmesan cheese and oil. They, still were crispy. Oh my, we have a winner.

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514 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10024
(212) 875-0100

Joe coffee  

Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

4.0 star rating
1/20/2012 34 Check-ins Here
Standing in line for a cup of coffee here is often like Yoga. The awareness is more important than beating feet up the block to Starbuck's, just to say you had your morning (afternoon, evening) fix. You know that the coffee is good. You know that while waiting you might hear some zany, experimental, subway starving band's beautiful music, and suddenly feel creative, or expressive, and thankful. You know that in the thick of its' caffienated cosmology in tight spaces you meet very interesting people, and sometimes Golden Retrievers, who will want to hand a wet tennis ball to you. The interactions and anticipation makes this coffee experience almost unforgettable.

The communal valence is strong here. The stylish hat wearing staff have a coterie of neighborhood locals checking in. Those locals have their bunch. And so on... People watching is a boon!  It makes for a great freewrite session. The table space is almost nonexistent, so a Moleskin is fantastic.

If I am able to cop a squat, I will enjoy the American Misto and  the Macchiato from a mug.  And sinfully dissect those delightful Pistachio Donuts.

I keep taking the loyalty punch cards knowing I lose them...*sigh* I probably have loss thirteen free cups worth so far. But I keep taking them, anyway.

I am glad that the place is not bigger. Its dynamic might change. Change isn't always better.

Cash only!

Listed in: Writing Nook

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5th Ave & 42nd St
New York, NY 10018
(212) 930-0830

New York Public Library - Humanities & Social…  

Category: Libraries
Neighborhoods: Midtown West, Midtown East

4.0 star rating
1/14/2012
Moleskin or well charged laptop. There are no plugs! It is very quiet.  It is a great 9-5 sit. One has to sneak to snack though!

Listed in: Writing Nook

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1025 5th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-2227

Busboys and Poets  

Categories: American (Traditional), Bookstores, Sandwiches

4.0 star rating
1/14/2012
I cannot walk into the Busboys and Poets without paying homage to the Teaching For Change Bookstore.  The Poetry section, magazines, and Biographies quickly chomp me into an acute bibliophilic submission. Having something to read while waiting for my Poached Pear Salad was great!

Even better was a Poetry Open Mic session with some of DC's awesome local poets and musicians. Bomani Armah and Chrisstyles Bacon are world class.

Even more reason to wait for a Falafel Plate with a cup of spiked Earl Grey Tea!

The Democracy Now/Howard University/Americorps Volunteer/Intern crowd is a consistent buzz. The crowd and ambiance is beautiful, intelligent, emotional, and very engaging.

Introverts can be converted here.

Listed in: Writing Nook

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"The Hidden Leaf's Nine-Tail Yelper"

Review votes:
242 Useful, 207 Funny, and 246 Cool

Location

New York, NY

Yelping Since

December 2009

Things I Love

Peanut Butter Wolf and Madlib, kaleidoscopes, hoodies, plus owls

Find Me In

places my Kick Scooter will carry me

When I'm Not Yelping...

I am creating worlds.

My Second Favorite Website

http://www.bookcountry...

The Last Great Book I Read

Still Life With Woodpecker

My First Concert

Salt-N-Pepa, Herby Luvbug, and DJ Starski

My Favorite Movie

Heat

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I love long bus rides.

Most Recent Discovery

Ginger Chews

Current Crush

Yogurt Peanut Clusters