Jeannie C.'s Profile

Before a show, I was catching up with a girl friend for a pre-theater dinner.  She picked the location, and told me where there isn't really a sign out front.  But gave me the cross streets so I could find it.  I was a little leery about that.  Restaurants in the Theater District are either awesome or crappy tourist traps.  Or it's a hole in the wall with very questionable hygiene practices.  Hmm... no signs, she said....

But I should have never doubted her.  

I found the place tucked between an electronic shop and one of those oh-so-lovely NYC souvenir shop.  And she was right, there weren't one of those tacky neon sign out front.  It had a sleek window front, with a metal screen behind the glass with the name Qi.  

As you first step into the place, you will fine a modern yet romantic bar, completed with glass bulb chandeliers.  All the chairs in the place were acrylic.  The bar tables are acrylic cubes over a traditional white washed romantic chandelier.  On top of the bar tables are mood enhancing candle lights.  The drink menu looked impressive and the liquor selection looked good, but I wasn't here for cocktails.  So, I traveled deeper into Qi.  

The sleek romance continued in the main dinning room.  The center aisle was a long white table, separated into different parties by partitions made with more chandeliers.  It was like dinning in lights.  Very romantic!  Besides a small strip of mirror, the walls were white with the texture of tin, but sleek not rustic.  The benches were in a sleek, yet classic, white.  The booths were all white, with white tables.  White on white.  Very sexy.  All in all, it felt more like a lounge than a restaurant.  

I no longer worried about hygiene.  This is definitely not a hole in the wall place.  With chandeliers and white literally everywhere, this place was swanky.  Clean.  Modern.  Sleek.  Sexy.  

I started to worry about my wallet.  This is just outside Times Square after all....

To my present surprise, the very decently sized menu also had very decent prices!  You can have an entree for $10, for dinner, in the Theater District!  What a find!!!!

I was starting to regret that big lunch I had... the menu looked tasty!  I simply ordered a Coconut Milk Tom Yum.  It was a bit spicy, but very flavorful.  (I like heat.  If you don't, you may want to specify heat level.  You've been warned.)

Beyond the food, a good rule of thumb in judging a restaurant is to judge its bathroom.  My brother taught me that.  And this is one bathroom worth mentioning.  Rest assured, it's clean.  So, that's good.  The restaurant passed the bathroom test.  But the review of the bathroom doesn't stop with simple cleanliness (which at this point was basically a given).

On your way to the bathroom, you will find a small shrine to complete your journey into sexy Bangkok.  You will also begin to realize that there area few holographic arts on the otherwise white wall depicting people in traditional Thai costumes.  Beyond the frosted glass door, you'll find the clean bathroom, romantically lit with a glass bulb chandelier.  But note, please do not count on using this restroom to reapply your make-up.  The lighting is far too romantic (read: dim).  Furthermore, there was the mirror.  It makes me think of Mona Lisa.  The mirror has one of those holographic art on it.  As you move through the room, she looks at you.  She is this beautiful lady, presumed Thai, in traditional Thai costume completed with headdress and jewelry.  As you wash your hand, you'll be looking right at her.  Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the prettiest of them all.   (Apparently, not I... how I wish I could see my own reflection on that mirror...)

This place doesn't need another 5 star review, but honestly, it deserves that and more.

Right in the middle of everything, it's a nice, quiet, quaint oasis.  It's spacious with plenty of tables and chairs to chill and hangout.  It's a bookstore / cafe combo, with plenty of seating and yum-o coffee and food.  When them fresh baked goods come out, the cafe smells divine!

And there is a real nice selection of books.  It is not the cheapest for used books, but it's still used book pricing.  And everything goes to a great cause, including them coffee (I am something of a caffeine addict, much more than I'm a reader).  The volunteer staff is always friendly.  

And it's just a nice environment.  Nothing fancy.  The complete opposite of the loud and bustling Soho, in welcoming quaint and cute way.  Grab a chair to read and hang out.  They also hosts a lot of events and workshops.  Go check it out.  Buy a book, or at least a coffee.  Help a great cause!

came home today and was getting huuuunnngry!  Didn't really feel like cooking (well, I never feel like cooking) and none of the leftover looked good.  So, out I went.  A Groupon Now deal led me to Saffron Garden.  It was $6 for $10, but honestly, even without the Groupon, it's a pretty good deal.  Entree are $10-13.  Portions are not huge, but fairly typical Indian restaurant size.

It was 7pm on a Thursday, and the place was a little quiet with only a few tables.  I believe they opened only a few months ago, so I hope they build a clientele.  The food was decent, though not wow.  English is a little lacking with the servers, but they were nice and friendly.  

I live in UES, and at these prices, I'll happily return to Saffron Garden.

Went to a wine tasting in UES one early Friday evening.  After a good helping of wine, the troop was in search of food...

The search started with another establishment which had a 30 minutes wait, which was unacceptable since we were huuuungry.  That's when Luke's Lobster came to rescue.  The simple sandwich spot was ready to serve us good food fast!

This was my first visit to Luke's.  But I have heard good reviews on this place.  On top of it all, others in my entourage had frequented this joint before.  So, I was ready for all that Luke's had to offer.  But alas, despite all my mental preparation for awesome yumminess, Luke's still surpassed my expectations.  

Ordered a Noah's Ark to share with a friend.  This is basically two order of "Taste of Maine".  Each order included 1/2 shrimp roll, 1/2 crab roll, 1/2 lobster roll, 2 crab claws, chips + drink for just $22.  (Noah's Ark is $41.)  

From ordering to food being ready was no more than 5 minutes.  Now, that's what our hungry stomachs were looking for!

Then, we feasted!  Oh wow... the sweetness of the seafood meshed with the perfect butteriness of the bun.  Each roll was better than the last.  YUM!  They also had a variety of craft brew or Maine root soda, Miss Vickie's variety of chips to complement the rolls.  

The establishment itself was simple.  Two big communal table and a bar along the window.  Seating is limited, but that should not be a reason for you to not to try the tasty yumminess within.  They even accept credit cards, so really no excuses.   If you live in the area, ask for the punch card to earn a free roll!

Ah. It's cool to know people.  People who can get you into exclusive places... Like inside Apple HQ.

First of all, it is just another office building / campus, so what's the big deal?  Well, it IS Apple.  It's a tourist attraction in its own rights.  You see people taking pictures.  AND you need to have someone from Apple to sign you in.  So technically, you can't really get in unless you know someone, right?  BUT, they have a gift shop.  So, it's a gift shop for a place that you cannot get in.  I find it somewhat funny.  (But yes, the gift shop is also for employees.)

Anyway, if you do manage to make it in, or if you work there, they have an amazing cafe.  The freshly made and baked Cali-style pizza is oh so very yummy.  Fresh sandwiches, fresh sushi, fresh seafood, fresh everything.  Desserts.  Vegan.  Salad.  BBQ.  They have it all.  What do you want?  Now, I used to think of my office cafeteria to be something of totally awesome with its selection and price.  But I think I may have to submit that Apple does do everything better...

Everything is fresh and organic.  Everything is recyclable.  Prices can't be beat.  You also get free drinks and free apples.  Haha, cute, free apples at Apple.  

The only downside... Once you've worked there and eat there, you may not be able to work elsewhere and eat elsewhere ever again.  Good thing Apple is not going to have a layoff anytime soon ;)

Came here for dinner on a weeknight the other night.  I would say that service is still slow, but I think that may be part of the charm.  They were fairly attentive and super nice at the start (even service with a smile, and you know how I love that), till about the end of the meal.  So, if you want to get out of there, you probably need to hunt them down for the bill.  But, the beauty is, it's NYC, so rare to find a place that don't rush you out the moment you're done.  It IS a coffee house in its heart.  Linger.  Chat.  Have a great night with your friends.  Enjoy a cup of after dinner coffee or finish your wine.  Relax.

This is perhaps my favorite food spot in NYC area.  Now, I'm not saying that it has the best food, or the best atmosphere, or the best price.  It just has the best combination of the above.  

I discovered this place one day after a long day at work.  I didn't particularly feel like cooking.  I also didn't particularly feel like take out.  So, I took a few steps southward from the PATH station to find Komegashi.

If there is one thing that Komegashi understands is that you eat with your eyes first.  And that starts before even you see the food.  It starts when you see the restaurant.  

The front of the restaurant doesn't look like much.  But then, as you get led to the main dinner room, the place really opens up.  Floor to ceiling windows with riverfront view line the back wall.  (If you have a party less than 2, you can get a table right next to the river.  If you have a larger party, you won't fit in those 2-tops.)  Now, I don't know about you, but river makes me happy.  The long work day starts to slowly fade away.  

Then, warm towels.  Complimentary endamame.  It's a kinda of service that one can hardly find anymore.  

Then, of course, it's all about the food.  And the food couldn't be better.  The fish was fresh and the presentation was so on point!  I tried the Chirashi.  This is my standby for a new sushi place.  It allows me to sample a lot of fish at once.  This is perhaps one of the most tasty Chirashi there is.  The rice has a little red bean mixed in.  It's not the most traditional, but it gives it that extra sweetness that was a welcoming twist.    The food was laid on top of that bed of rice like it was a work of art.  Typically, Chirashi is served in a bowl, with rice in the bottom and fishes laid on top.  Not here.  Such simple presentation won't do at Komegashi.  It is served on a square plate.  Rice was set up in a rectangular.  The fish was not laid on top.  It was rolled up and twisted and carefully placed on top the bed of delicious red bean rice.  I cannot, just cannot, do the art justice in words (I'm just not that good of a writer.)  But I did take a picture :D

Then, I finished the meal with a green tea mousse and red bean ice-cream.  OMG!  So delish!  Did I need dessert after my yummy meal?  No.  Did I absolutely loved it?  You betcha!  

Good thing was that Komegashi Too was located right by the Jersey City riverfront boardwalk.  So, after dinner, I just took a stroll to, um, burn off, the ice cream.

By the time I finished my stroll, work was but a distant memory.  Komegashi makes for a wonderful night for just a simple workday meal or a romantic meal or just a meal with friends.  To top it all off, it's affordable.  You can't find a meal like this in Manhattan, and it's only a short PATH train away.  Love!!

okay.  My most epic food adventure yet, and I'm pretty a pretty adventurous foodie (or according Anthony Bourdain, food nerd.  Apparently only Koreans, chefs, and food nerd would take on this adventure).

Bottom line:  Live Octopus.  

The meal started with the server making us some fried eggs at the table (on the stove that our hot pots will later sit on).  I now learned (through the wonder of the internet) that it's a tradition and a sign of respect.  Back in the poor days, eggs are somewhat of a luxury, and the wife would save it for the husband (the bread winner).  I didn't try any.  I figure eggs still taste like eggs, even if it was prepared at the table.  My food adventure awaits.  There were also an assortment of kimchi and pickled veggies as amuse on the table.  

We ordered the Watermelon Soju Cocktail for the table.  It comes inside a carved out watermelon, of course.  Would you have expected less for my epic food adventure?

We then started with our appetizer.  We started with some steamed eggs and seafood crepes, which was super yummy, but that's just the beginning of our seafood feast.  Second course - Fresh octopus.  It's so fresh that it's still moving when it hits the table.  They look like little worms.  (I didn't have a video device, and the light was low anyway.  Youtube Anthony Bourdain's).  So being brave and all, I put one in my mouth.  What's the big deal?  Then, it happened.  The octopus attacked back!  It just died, so all the reflexes are still intact.  So those little suction cups, they still work.  And they will suck on your tongue or your cheek or wherever it happened to land (if you could pry it off the plate to begin with).  Yes, my food sucked ;p

Then, we moved onto the hot pots.  Seafood hot pot with live octopus and live lobster and live abalone.  (Well, the lobster and abalone may be freshly dead, they were only kinda moving.  The octopus was definitely alive.  It almost moved off the pot.  And it slowly died in front of us -- may not be the most humane -- don't know, but it was tasty.)  

So much food!  We had 6 people to a pot.  And we ordered beers, because hot pot and beers just go oh so well together, let's be honest.  Then, they come with fried rice, which they fry right there in the hot pot remains (with the broth all soaked in and yummy).  Then they sprinkle cheese on it, and it just mellows out all the flavors and just simply delish.  

Yeah.  Epic food adventure.  

Happy Mouth and Happy Tummy.

Signed,
Food Nerd

Ok. First of all, the pizza was amazing!  One of the best slices in the city.  The coal oven makes the perfect crust. We had ricotta and red pepper on half and a traditional margarita on the other half. Both were delicious!!

Oh, and they have this secret dining room. The kitchen is attached, but otherwise it's a completely different space. They also cannot serve the range of alcohol like they can in the main dining room.  But with that restriction, not everyone will opt for that room. If that isn't a problem for you, definitely ask about it. May shorten your wait time.

Went here for brunch, what a fantastic choice.  

The restaurant is definitely a neighborhood find being off a main avenue. It's small basement storefront doesn't say much. In addition, the practically empty dining room on a Saturday prime brunch time may lead you to wonder. But after checking out other yelp reviews, I knew they had a garden.  The garden was fantastic!  In the back of the building, quiet and quaint.  A definite plus!

The food was quite good. I had to try the waffles, which had the most wonderful texture.  You know how the edges of waffles get all crunchy and yummy?  The whole waffle was like that, but still had enough substance that it's not a crisp or anything of the sort.  

The only thing holding this little gem back was service. It was not really bad, but it was definitely on the slow side.  

I give this 3.5 stars