kristine r.'s Profile
DateManhattan, NY 10018
(212) 840-9705
Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts -…
Categories:
Performing Arts,
Adult Education
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
Listed in: Get Your Culture On!
New York, NY 10011
(212) 477-0007
Giorgio's of Gramercy
Categories:
Italian,
American (New)
Neighborhood: Flatiron
And yes, the food is still worth raving about. The menu seems to get tweaked every now and then, but our perennial favorites are always there: the baked macaroni and cheese, to which you can add chicken, prosciutto or lobster (the latter two are excellent additions); the scallops, which are meaty, succulent, sweet and perfectly seared, and hand's down the best scallops I've eaten anywhere; the pasta with lobster and shrimp, which is my second favorite dish after the scallops (see my previous review); and, of course, the s'mores bread pudding. Giorgio's menu has so many enticing items, but it's hard to pass up getting our favorites since we always seem to crave them. But I'd be willing to bet that any dish you order here will be cooked to perfection and you won't wish you ordered something else.
We've returned a few times since our rehearsal dinner, and Will still remembers us. We went the other night and had to wait a few minutes while other diners vacated our table, so my husband ordered a cocktail at the bar, which was recommended by Will. He really enjoyed it, and when it was time for us to be seated, Will told the bartender not to charge us. That's the kind of service you can expect from Giorgio's, and we've never been disappointed by a dining experience there. It's such a pleasure being treated so well, and appreciated for our continued business. For the service, the food, decor and ambiance, it's easy for me to declare Giorgio's as my favorite spot for special occasion dining and give it that coveted 5th star.
Listed in: The Great Date Escape, A Bride's Diary
1 Previous Review:
-
10/22/2008
Giorgio's of Gramercy has the distinct honor of being the only restaurant along this stretch of East 21st Street. It is also the most inviting storefront, with its large window that allows you to peer in and see the lush reds and dark woods of the interior. It certainly looks like a classy joint from the outside, and the experience inside does not disappoint.
Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, but never overbearing. Our level of service didn't change after I presented our $25 gift certificate either (she needn't have worried as we planned to tip her on the total amount all along). She was also a help when my friend was choosing between the pork chops and the scallops. The sides for the pork chops sounded better, but my friend wanted to treat herself to some seafood. So our waitress confidently (but not pretentiously) stated that their chef made the best scallops and cooked them to perfection, and that all the seafood dishes were especially good. So the choice was pretty obvious after that.
A few moments after we placed our order, we were treated to a complimentary crab salad on crostini amuse bouche, much to our delight. We were both pretty hungry and happily devoured our crostinis. We also received a bread basket with a saucer of fruity olive oil. This was only the beginning of our gluttony.
Our two appetizers arrived shortly after. We couldn't resist trying the macaroni and cheese (fontina, sharp cheddar, leeks), and we also ordered half a dozen roasted oysters in truffle butter and shallots (one of their specials). The mac&cheese had a great bread crumb crust on top and the leeks were a nice touch. The cheese wasn't too thick and had a more subtle flavor than I'm used to. The oysters were delicious and I probably could have eaten another half dozen on my own.
My entree was the linguini with lobster and shrimp in a vodka and parmesan sauce. They were very generous with their shrimp and lobster claws - I got about four pieces of each. In fact, I worried about running out of pasta before the seafood, which is a great problem to have! My friend, meanwhile, took a bite out of her scallops (there were five big ones) and paused for a moment. I was worried it didn't taste good, but she was simply allowing the flavor to hit her palate. She was not expecting the scallop to be so sweet, and it was a pleasant surprise. She also liked the cauliflower fondue and florets that it came with, despite her earlier concerns.
We both set aside about half of our entrees to take home so we could still have room for dessert. We simply had to try the s'mores bread pudding. My friend was disappointed at first that it was more chocolate than caramel (she's one of the few people on the planet who doesn't like chocolate), but she cheered up when we realized it actually wasn't too chocolatey. The ice cream and graham cracker complemented it nicely, and I especially loved the little dark chocolate covered rice puffs (or whatever they were).
With all the food we ordered and enjoyed, the final bill was very reasonable, even without our $25 discount. I would have happily paid full price for our meal, and I will gladly come back to try more things off the menu. It's always nice when a restaurant not only meets your expectations (thanks to others' Yelp reviews), but actually exceeds them.
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 433-2727
5 Napkin Burger
Category:
Burgers
Neighborhood: Astoria
They do a slider happy hour from 4-7pm, which is a nice deal, but otherwise, 5 Napkin Burger is just a tad more expensive than I think it should be. I really wish they had a lunch menu or specials. It just doesn't feel right spending $40 for two at lunch when it's basically souped-up casual fare. (But somehow spending that amount for the same food at dinner is okay...?)
That being said, I'm really happy that 5 Napkin Burger took up the old Cup Diner location. That spot needed a big restaurant that could sustain that kind of business. It's a really convenient dining location if you're seeing a movie at Kaufman Astoria, and they have ample space to accommodate large parties (they even have a semi-private room behind the bar). It will be interesting once the Five Guys Famous Burgers opens up next door...the Astoria burger war doesn't seem to be ending any time soon.
Listed in: A Manhattan Princess in Queens
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 274-1030
Chase
Category:
Banks & Credit Unions
Neighborhood: Astoria
My husband and I recently opened our joint checking account here and it was an easy, hassle-free process. Despite a little bit of a soft sell from the banker for my husband to move his other checking account over to Chase, it went smoothly and we were done in less than half an hour. I feel like the bankers are now going to recognize me, so that if a problem ever arises, I'll be taken care of. I know the banking industry is persona non grata lately, but this branch is a good reminder that bankers are regular people too...they earn their living and they care about doing their job well. And they do.
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 267-7071
Fatty's Cafe
Categories:
American (New),
Latin American,
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Astoria
But I was actually here with a friend, so it's also a great spot for a girls' night. The mojitos are strong and tasty, and the waitstaff (okay, it was only two guys - the bartender and the waiter) were really friendly and cool (did it help that they both seemed to have Irish accents? yeah, probably). Most importantly, I'm happy to report that four years later, the food is still delicious and reasonably priced (although I did notice the pork chops now cost $2 more than they used to).
We started off with the guacamole and homemade tortilla chips. That was one tasty guac - and very plentiful! I don't think we even finished half of it before giving up to leave room for our entrees. My friend and I must have been on the same wavelength because we both ordered chorizo dishes - she got the tacos and I got the burger. Her dish came with three overflowing tacos - definitely enough for lunch the next day too. It was my first time having a chorizo - or even pork - burger, and I was glad I tried it. I had to ask the waiter for a recommendation because I couldn't decide between that or the charity burger - he said they were both good but he would have been in the mood for the chorizo, so I went with it. The patty was pretty big and I almost couldn't finish it. But it was very juicy and flavorful - not as heavy or greasy as I was afraid it would be - topped with some kind of (cheese?) sauce that I made sure to lick off my fingers. And the sweet potato fries were the perfect complement - I only got through half of them before my stomach begged me to stop.
So it looks like my initial assessment still holds up: dining regularly at Fatty's Cafe will probably make me a big ol' fatty. Conversely, it won't make my wallet too skinny. Oh boy, I think I'm in trouble.
Listed in: A Manhattan Princess in Queens
1 Previous Review:
-
4/1/2008
Fatty's could make me a big ol' fatty too considering the portion size of the chuletas. I know the menu said "pork chops" (as in, plural), but I was not expecting one pork chop to be normal-sized and the other one to be bigger than my hand! It came with rice & beans, and I immediately designated half of it to be the next day's lunch. Two meals worth of juicy, tender, flavorful meat for $13?? How can you go wrong with that??
My boyfriend's hangar steak looked positively waifish in comparison to my dish, but it was still pretty tasty. I was expecting his frites to be the skinnier, crunchier kind, but they were just regular fries. The beef empanada appetizer was also pretty good, especially with a few splashes of green Tabasco sauce. All the prices seemed more than reasonable, and I was very pleased with our meal.
The local artwork on the walls was...interesting, if not entirely appetizing. The overall vibe of Fatty's was cool, just on the edge hipster territory, but our poor waiter was friendly and as helpful as he could be considering he was the only one serving the Friday night dinner rush. We'll have to check out brunch sometime, and hopefully enjoy the back patio when it's warmer.
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 606-2600
Astoria's Finest Bagels
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Internet Cafes,
Bagels
Neighborhood: Astoria
It was already after 3pm on a Sunday and the guy at the counter apologetically explained that they had a "crazy morning" so the variety of bagels available would be scarce. By my count, they still had almost half a dozen kinds of bagels left, so the apology wasn't really necessary, but it was nice that he cared about not disappointing us. We both wanted bagel & lox sandwiches, and he informed us that the flavored cream cheeses didn't cost extra. There was a decent variety to choose from and he offered us a sample of the chipotle cream cheese, which had some serious kick to it. I ordered the scallion cream cheese, but I'm very intrigued by the *bacon* and scallion cream cheese and will have to try that next time.
While we were waiting for our food, we chatted up the guy who had been taking our order. He told us that his father owned the shop, and that he and his sister (who was sitting at one of the tables working) helped run it. When he realized it was our first time there, his face sort of lit up and he said, "Well, we'll have to do something a little special for you then." So he put a chocolate croissant on our tray and said it was on the house.
I really appreciate when a business tries to earn their clientele. He totally didn't need to give us free food - it was enough that he was friendly and answered our questions about the shop. But he decided to go the extra step and make us feel welcome, while also letting us sample more of their food. The chocolate croissant, by the way, was delicious. And only $2, which is a steal considering how much Starbucks would charge.
Our bagel sandwiches were also really good, although not as overloaded with lox as I would have liked. The bagels (I had a salt bagel, my husband had an onion) weren't too dense, but still chewy. Sometimes I finish a bagel sandwich feeling overly carbed up, but this hit the spot without making me feel too heavy afterwards. And $9.25 is a pretty good price for a bagel and lox (I've spent $14 in Manhattan before).
After the great service and welcoming atmosphere here, we'll definitely be back. You gotta love a family-run local business that cares about their customers.
Listed in: A Manhattan Princess in Queens
Calling Home Depot to see if they had sandbags in stock is certainly not a question I ever thought I'd ever have to ask as a long-time New York City resident, but that's exactly what I did. The one in Chelsea didn't have any, but the one in Brooklyn did, so we ventured out. By the time we got there, it was probably almost 2pm and not only did they not have sandbags, they also had no batteries or flashlights. We bought some masking tape and heavy duty garbage bags and hoped for a Plan B.
My good friend, meanwhile, was calling hardware stores all over the five boroughs to track down sandbags for us. The Ace Hardware Store had some, but wouldn't take credit card orders over the phone to reserve any, so we booked it there as fast as we could. Lucky for us, they had 12 left and we got there ahead of another lady who also needed sandbags. They also informed us that they were getting another delivery later in the day, so they were actually on top of the situation.
While they were loading up our car full of sandbags (another first for me), our friendly cashier Michelle was asking if we needed plywood too. We didn't think we'd be able to board up the windows or door since her apartment building is obviously not made of wood, but they suggested we use concrete nails. The concrete nail idea ended up not being feasible, but of course we didn't know that at the time, and we were willing to do whatever was necessary to protect my mom's office. So we got the measurements of the windows and door from our building super and the guys at Ace Hardware got to cutting.
They took good care in securing the plywood on top of our car* (yet another first) and helped us safely maneuver out of their tight parking lot. We spent almost two hours there, watching many other customers come and go. They were swamped with other people also preparing for Hurricane Irene, and while they didn't have everything in stock, they seemed to do the best they could to accommodate people. I was really impressed with how well they handled such a chaotic situation. They could have been really rude and grumpy at everyone, but that wasn't the case. Our cashier Michelle was even joking around with my mom (which I'm sure also has something to do with my mom's ability to charm & disarm people). Even though I'm sure they were frazzled, they maintained good customer service throughout, and that's saying something.
Even though Irene didn't end up doing any damage to my mom's neighborhood or office, we were more than prepared for her, thanks in part to Ace Hardware. And now we know exactly where to go when the next hurricane comes blowing through NYC!
*This is in contrast to our visit to the 59th St. Home Depot later in the evening to buy 2x4's. When we asked one employee to help load the wood atop our car, he said he couldn't because he wasn't "trained" to do it, so we did it ourselves. Liability issues are a concern, I get it, but I'm glad that Ace put customer service first.
The main lawn is big enough to accommodate sunbathers, picnickers, kite-flyers, and frisbee-tossers, and also provides a lovely view of the East River flanked by the RFK and Hellgate Bridges. There are a ton of big trees to find shade under too, which I really appreciate it. Even on a summer Saturday afternoon, the park doesn't feel crowded or busy: it maintains its tranquility and provides a nice green, sometimes hilly, oasis in the area.
On summer nights, it's fun to walk along the waterfront and see all the parked cars along the path. There's always some festive music blasting and people having a good time. The Mister Softee truck is a popular stop and you can enjoy your ice cream as you watch the water go by. Astoria Park also does their own annual Fourth of July fireworks prior to the actual holiday. I could actually see the fireworks from my living room window!
One note if you plan on spending the whole day there: the public restrooms are located inside the playground. There's a park staffer who mans the entrance, so you don't even have to lock up your bike to take care of your business.
Moving out to Queens from Manhattan has been a bit of an adjustment for me, but living so close to a really nice park and the waterfront has made the transition easier. I can spend hours sitting/laying on the grass, getting lost in my own thoughts, reading a book or even getting some writing done. That's exactly what I want from my neighborhood park.
Listed in: Serenity in the City, A Manhattan Princess in Queens
Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 626-8620
Astoria Park Pool
Category:
Swimming Pools
Neighborhood: Astoria
I went for the first time on a weekday afternoon, and while it was busy, it certainly wasn't overcrowded. There was space enough in the pool to float around and swim very short distances without being too disturbed. Watch out for all the kids though, because they certainly won't be watching out for you!
The employees here run a pretty tight ship and they don't mess around. Don't let that intimidate you - they're just doing their job and they have a lot of people to account for. As long as you go prepared, there shouldn't be any trouble. Most of the other reviews already covered these details, but just to reiterate:
1. Bring a lock!!! We came unprepared for this, and the manager was nice enough to let us leave our stuff in the front office. The only things allowed on the deck are: towels, water bottle, sunscreen, flip-flops, reading material. Your wallet, cell phone, bag, etc. will have to be left in the locker. It's better to not even bother bringing any valuables.
2. They do a swimsuit check before they allow you in, so arrive already wearing one.
3. You have to go through the separate men and women locker rooms to gain access to the pool. The locker room is huge in its own right. Lockers are on the left, and there are tons of changing stalls but none have curtains. To get some privacy, a good trick is to hang your towel over the front of the stall. There's also a lady who makes sure you rinse off in the shower before you head out to the pool. The sooner you can get through the locker room, the better (it's dark, damp and gives off a very "detention facility" vibe).
4. The pool's open 11am-3pm and 4-7pm. For lap swimming, it's open for early morning/evening sessions at 7-8:30am and 7-8:30pm. My husband's gone a few times now and he says there's usually a decent crowd then too, although it's not nearly as many people as the regular hours.
With the current heat wave going on, I know I'm definitely going to make the most of having this pool so nearby. Can't wait to jump back in!
Listed in: A Manhattan Princess in Queens
I snagged a Bloomspot deal that was $60 (reg. $95) for a four-course prix-fixe meal. When we arrived, the maitre d' promptly took away my printed vouchers so I wouldn't have to fuss with them later when the check came. Classy move. The first of many throughout the evening.
The service was exceptional throughout our meal. Our head waiter, Julio, was very professional, helpful in giving us recommendations, and great at describing each course as they came out. At a high-end restaurant like this, it's not unexpected to experience some snootiness, especially when we were there because of a discount deal, but we never felt out of place or ill at ease. The vibe was surprisingly not stuffy at all, considering all the waiters wear white jackets and bowties.
The food itself wasn't particularly mind-blowing, as you would expect from an institution like this. But there were definitely some highlights throughout the meal. The amuse-bouche was a grape jelly (gelee?) with a dollop of goat cheese mousse that came with a shot of watermelon gazpacho. The cool trick about the jelly/gelee and goat cheese was if you ate them in one bite, it tasted just like peanut butter and jelly! My husband's summer corn soup with rock shrimp beignets was outstanding. I love a good soup, and this was, indeed, a good soup. I also really enjoyed my escargot, which came with fried gnuddi and a sort of pesto sauce. It was only an appetizer portion, but I could have eaten a much bigger entree of that! We all ordered fish for our main course, and my steamed halbut was light, delicate and perfectly cooked.
To finish on a sweet note, we got a pre-dessert, which was a deconstructed blueberry cheesecake in a shot glass, our choice of dessert, and petit fours. I chose the the black forest cake, which was not what I was expecting at all when it arrived. It was another deconstructed concoction, with little nuggets of cocoa-covered ice cream that oozed out when you cut into it, little coconut jello-ish cubes (I wish I knew what they were actually called), marinated black cherries, some kind of foam, and all topped with a beautiful chocolate ribbon. I know I'm not describing this dessert very well, but it was unique and tasted delicately sweet.
By the end of the meal, we were all quite satisfied: full, but not stuffed. I was worried that the tasting menu would give us teeny tiny portions, but everything was just right, with enough room for dessert. Julio invited us back for Restaurant Week, which he informed us would be extended for an additional two months. Considering how sparsely populated the dining room was during peak dinner time, even on a Wednesday night, it seems like they might be struggling a bit. (At one point, it seemed like there was more waitstaff than patrons.) So if you've ever been curious about dining at Le Cirque, why not give it a try now?
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"empty belly, open mouth"
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Astoria, NY
Yelping SinceOctober 2006
Things I Lovepork, lobster, crab, ramen, chocolate, mango
Find Me Indeeply superficial thought
My Hometownnyc
Why You Should Read My Reviewsbecause i write even better than i eat
My Second Favorite Websitehttp://www.angryasianm..., http://www.happyslip.com
The Last Great Book I ReadA Cook's Tour
My First ConcertThe Everly Brothers, circa 1985 (with my mommy)
My Favorite MovieChasing Amy, Eternal Sunshine..., Billy Elliot, Edward Scissorhands
My Last Meal On Earthlechon kawali with a salmon sushi chaser (why not?)
Current CrushChristian Bale (now & forever) and Paul Rudd
Little did I know when I took my first class at ESPA that it would be such a vital step in building momentum in my playwriting career. Simply put, taking classes at ESPA is one of the best things I've done for myself professionally. I have been more prolific and disciplined in my writing these past two years, and a lot of thanks goes to the excellent instructors I've had (Tanya Barfield, Sheri Wilner, Kara Lee Corthron), all of whom are working playwrights themselves. There is also a playwright's festival at the end of the Fall/Winter semester, so each writing class (including for screen and tv) gets to present excerpts of their work using professional actors.
Beyond the classroom, there is ample opportunity for your work to get seen. One of my favorite programs they started last year is the Detention Series. Each month, a guest advisor presents a specific theme or set of criteria for 10 minutes plays to be written by students. We typically only have a couple of weeks to write the plays, and then 3-4 are selected for presentation. If your play is selected, you get assigned a director and actors (also ESPA students), and you get a couple of weeks to rehearse before the play is performed barebones (limited set, costumes, etc) for only two performances on the first Friday of the next month.
The performances are at Jimmy's No. 43 in the East Village, in a tiny back room, where the audience is squeezed in tight and eager for a good time with beer in hand. The whole thing is very fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, which just adds to the fun and casual spirit of the experience. As an alumna of Detention (my theme was "Blind Date"), I can attest to what an awesome time it is, and I can't wait to participate again.
Other perks for students include discounted fees to classes and workshops; the ability to apply for a work study Teacher's Assistant spot so you can take a class for free; and the occasional comp ticket offer for Broadway and Off/Off-off-Broadway shows. But more than all that, you'll be introduced to this amazing community of theater artists who are incredibly supportive of their students and rooting for them to succeed.
If you're an actor, director or writer looking to hone your craft, make connections within the theater community, and gain experience by taking advantage of their myriad extracurricular programs, then this is the place for you. So c'mon, why not be an ESPAddict like me? Just take one class and give it a try. You know you want to. And tell 'em Kristine sent ya.