Leah B.'s Profile

Harking back to the days of Stuido 54, Southside has such buzz that the mob of people outside must make the place look like they are giving away money.  It's no joke.  

As Michael S. and I walked up last night, assuming that we would have to fight a little to get in, we were immediately bombarded by the rich and famous, beautiful and plaid.  "Regulars" were let right in by various doormen and the ever present owner, and we patiently waited our turn, befriended the bouncer and tried to hold our ground right at the front of the ropes.

Be aware when you walk down the stairs there is a mandatory coat check for $4.  It might sound sucky, but you're not going to hold your coat all night.  

The underground space is great, but small.  Leather booths and banquettes fill the sides of the room and the bar is lit by green banker's lamps.  Everyone is dancing and having a good time, but few people are actually drinking -- it's just too crowded.  We had a few shots to lighten up and joined the party.  We were not disappointed.

The crowd is absurd.  More Parisians and Spaniards than you can shake a stick at are crowding around tables covered in various bottles and mixers.  Otherwise, Southside is about way overdressed females and outrageously underdressed males.  I saw one too many slouchy hats for my taste, but it just adds to the atmosphere.

Final Analysis:
Know someone.  That's all I can say.  When we got there around 1:15 the club was already at capacity.  So fun!

I am a total cynic, as most New Yorkers are.  I thought walking through a phone booth at PDT was going to suck, but it turned out to be great.  I also thought walking down an alley and then up a fire escape had the potential to be just as cliched....But it wasn't.  The Back Room turned out to be a total hidden gem.

We couldn't think of a place to go after dinner last night at Mercaditom so we started our "where should we go" routine.  When thinking of places downtown, we immediately agreed that we needed to try The Back Room, and share it with my west coast cousin who was visiting.  Not many people would believe speakeasy's even exist unless they see them for themselves.  

Note to first timers:  They card for 25 on Friday and Saturday nights, so they are pretty aware of the need to keep the scene under control.  We were there around 9ish on a Thursday night and it was comfortably crowded with just the right people.

The Back Room delivered on all the cool quirks we heard it would.  Drinks in tea cups.  Beer in paper bags.  A room adorned with an antique tin ceiling, red wallpapered walls, and floor to ceiling oil paintings of nude ladies.  The whole interior makes for a great atmosphere.  And on top of that, the place had real substance.  The crowd didn't suck, which seems to always happen; everyone is too old, or too cool or not cool, etc. and it just throws off the whole vibe.  There were places to sit.  (If I haven't made this clear in the past this is very important.)  We ended up standing at the railing up the stairs, but there were plenty of banquettes and small tables to get cozy by the fire.  And the music was awesome.  Nothing was too old, they mixed in some great '80's music, and there wasn't too much new stuff, I didn't feel like I was only listening to HOT 97 all night.

Final Analysis:
Regardless of the fact that The Back Room is a complete gimmick, it doesn't make you feel like you're at a theme restaurant -- In fact, the place was really fun!  Get a drink of the drink menu, as these places boast, their mixology is insane!

Went back to Mercadito last night for dinner with my boyfriend and cousin in from the Bay Area.

I have decided that next time I go, all I really need to eat is margaritas, chips and guacamole -- the guacamole is so good I had to refrain from actually licking the plate.  They continually refill the chips, usually without asking, and each time they are hot, steamy and delicious!

This time I tried their corn masa quesadillas for $13.50.  Each comes with with perfectly melted mexican cheese and then you to try one of each; mahi mahi-tomatillo, shrimp-plantain and wild mushroom-epazote crema.  The boys ordered chicken tacos and pork tacos and both enjoyed their meals thoroughly.

Final Analysis:
Yet again I was blown away by this place.  I have been on a new-restaurants-only kick and it was so nice to return to Mercadito and just have an outstanding meal.  We got there around 7:15 and the place was completely full when we left just before 9.  It seems as though everyone is realizing just how good this home cooked Mexican really is!

We made a reservation for Blue Water Grill at about 10 am, for a party of 7 at 11:30 am, that same morning, I was sure we wouldn't get a reservation but the hostess was helpful.  She guaranteed us a round table, and told us we would be in the downstairs in the Jazz brunch area.  When asked if it was loud we were told it was only "background music".  

Note: NEVER sit downstairs with a group during the Jazz brunch, it's way too loud!  We couldn't hear across the table at noon with very few people in the restaurant.

The interior of BWG is very nice.  I have been upstairs for dinner, and thought that the layout was a bit average, but still pleasant.  The vault downstairs in really pretty though, they have a great round table, great mirrors on the walls, and overall it's a very nice space.  

The service was appalling.  Our waiter seemed upset with every question we asked and every drink we ordered.  All I wanted to say was, "Hey dude, you're a waiter, this is your job!  If you didn't feel like serving people you probably shouldn't have become a waiter!"  

The food overall was pretty mediocre.  I had a seafood cobb salad that had more egg and bacon than greens and seafood.  The bellini had way more schnapps than champagne and they only offer strawberry butter with their bread...I'm not a fan and my boyfriend is allergic!   The bread really ended up being the tastiest part of the meal -- try the banana bread, you won't be disappointed.

Final Analysis:
From what I have heard I need to try the sushi, everyone says it's really good and I would definitely consider going back to try it.  But for brunch it's just not worth it.  I have had better food at cheaper places with waiters who are friendly and music that you can actually speak over and for a relaxing Sunday brunch that is exactly what I am looking for.  I would  probably still, after this rave review :), recommend trying BWG once.  But I am guessing that the stock / chain restaurant quality food and terrible customer service will deter you from returning.

Market Table has been on a "Must Try" list that both my boyfriend and I keep on our blackberries, for a long time now.  We have heard nothing but good things about it and now I can say for a fact that everything good you hear about this quaint and warm restaurant, is true.  As Michael S. pointed out, we wanted a quiet restaurant where we could actually have a  conversation with his parents and also a place with outstanding food.  Market Table delivered on all of this.

This is how you know this place is fantastic...

When we got there we were offered a table right across from the front door.  (This bothers me, it just ends up being cold and windy the whole meal.)  As a group, we decided to wait for a table inside the restaurant and we went next door for a drink.  I should say, the fact that I am still giving Market Table 4 stars after this happened really does prove how wonderful it was.  If it were anywhere else I probably would have gotten a drink and never came back OR I would have had dinner, I would have complained, and then given the restaurant 1 or 2 stars.

The bread, crusty.  
The wine, full-bodied.  
The food, simply prepared to perfection.  
The atmosphere, open, inviting, charming and comfortable.
The service, with a smile and tons of knowledge.
The check, delivered in an adorable book of poetry!

Final Analysis:
This is the real deal.  Nothing that we order was out of control or out of a science-fiction film.  It was all really pure and easy food, but the difference at Market Table is that that never means boring.  The Pear and Arugula salad wasn't plain, it was spectacular.  The Caesar salad with the steak wasn't ordinary, it was grilled and delicious.  That's just not something you can say about a lot of places -- Market Table pulls off perfection absolutely effortlessly!

The Goal:
Who doesn't want to finish a great meal with a great dessert?  After a fantastic meal at Market Table this past weekend, we needed a sweet treat and it just so happened that Grom was less than a block away!

First Impression:
I have been fortunate enough to taste quite a bit of gelato.  In fact, I am  a self-proclaimed gelato aficionado and I can say for a fact that this is the best gelato I have had in the states.  The space is open and bright and fortunately there was enough seating for my party of 6.  The biggest disappointment was that all of the actual gelato is covered and behind glass.  In most gelaterias, you are drawn into the shop by the beautifully colored gelato and cases of fruit-topped flavors and chocolate covered concoctions.

The Specifics:
I ordered Tiramisu gelato which was a perfect combination of smooth espresso and slightly crunchy lady fingers.  Other flavors ordered included Bacio, chocolate and hazelnut, Stracciatella, chocolate chip and vanilla, and Hazelnut.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their cups and I basked in the glow of eating with a brightly colored, tiny plastic gelato shovel!

Final Analysis:
I have decided that I am very jealous of the people who live right around Grom.  It's not necessarily the type of place I would trek to the West Village solely for, mostly because that would make me an official fatty, but it must be really nice to grab a cup of gelato from Grom after dinner rather than the old run-of-the-mill Tasty Delight that everyone has on their corner.  Note to first timers: Always ask to try flavors and get two flavors in one cup, it's fun to mix!

For my grandfather's birthday he wanted nothing more than to be with his family and eat some good, authentic Jewish food.  He lives around the corner from Katz, and has his whole life, so we decided to take the trek up to the UWS and go to Lansky's.

I should state for the record, as other's have said before me, be smart at a Jewish deli.  Stick to soups, salads and sandwiches and you will pretty much always be happy.  Not to mention Lansky's appetizer menu includes 'pigs in a blanket' so who wouldn't be happy?!

The place was nice, the service was great and the food was really good.  I shared a huge salad and a huge bowl of matzo ball soup and washed it all down with a beer off of their fairly long beer list.  Everyone else for the most part had rye bread sandwiches covered in piles of pastrami and corned beef.  Everyone, including the birthday boy, really enjoyed their food.  Even Lansky's sweet potato fries are good.  Keep it simple, then you can't go wrong!

If I had to be honest I would probably never go back to Lansky's.  It's really far from where I live, or at least feels that way, and it's VERY loud -- loud music, multiple TVs, and a lot of screaming Jews confined to one space!  Also my biggest complaint would be that my party of 10 was originally told we would be seated at a large round table, but last minute got switched to a long table.  I just don't understand restaurants that don't take into consideration the difficulty such a long table makes for a group.  By the end of the night my matzo ball soup came in handy to help my sore throat.  In my next life, when I am a restaurateur, I will make sure my restaurant is fully equipped with round tables so as to avoid this situation for my patrons.

Final Analysis:
Try it out, I think it's a great alternative to your local diner.

Simply put this meal was outstanding. Just look at the food we ordered:

Appetizers-
Seared Diver Sea Scallops
Spicy Duck Meatballs
Crab Summer Rolls

Entrees-
Braised Lamb Shank
Roasted Duck Breast
Grilled Prime Hanger Steak
Roasted Snapper

Side-
Edamame Falafal

Desserts-
Frozen Banana Parfait
Vanilla Scented Doughnuts

First Impression:
The space is bigger than I thought it would be from the pictures on the website, but it really has a warm, cozy feel to it.  If I had one complaint it would be that my party of 4 was seated at a table that was too small.  While it might be plenty big enough for 4 normal eaters, it was not large enough for 4 people who were going to be eating as much as we did.  I have to admit the semi-circle round booths looked really cool and I was kind of bummed we didn't get to sit at one.  Otherwise I was surprised by how calm it was.  Now, after trying the food, I would assume this place would be teeming with people.  Don't get me wrong, the place was completely full but it was really nice to have a meal without having people standing over your table the whole night.  

The Specifics:
Everything was incredible.  

I wasn't in charge of picking the wine but their fairly substantial wine list offered a great bottle of Malbec and I absolutely loved every sip.  The presentation of each dish was just beautiful.  Nothing was too over the top, too pretty to eat, or lacking in any way.  Everything was paired with outstanding and tasty garnishes and everything was cooked to perfection.  The waitstaff was attentive and extremely helpful, and the yelp reviews I researched ahead of time definitely steered us in the right direction.  The meatballs and the doughnuts were painfully delicious.

Final Analysis:
What I liked most about Perilla was the atmosphere.  There is no denying this was one of the best meals I have had in....well, ever.  But while this is an up-and-coming restaurant I never once felt it was a scene.  It wasn't swarming with hipsters, or filled to the gills with patrons waiting for tables at the bar.  It was just an absolute delight to walk in, be seated right away (our reservation was for 7:30, we didn't leave until just before 11) and just enjoy an amazing meal in the company of people who knew they were partaking in truly extraordinary culinary skills.  I think I can speak for all 4 people in party when I say you must go to Perilla and try it.  I can't imagine you being disappointed!

In the middle of nowhere with a mission to relax and soak up the 4 day weekend, a simple and satisfying lunch was on the agenda.  Small and unassuming, Baba Louie's is located in the heart of Great Barrington.  

I love pizza and have a very discerning taste.  I like thin crusts packed with flavor, a perfect blend of cheese and sauce and I hate soggy, greasy messes.  The sourdough crust at Baba Louie's is incredible, and absolutely rivals many of the "must try" pizza joints in New York City.

We started with a Caesar salad which was so good.  There wasn't too much dressing, there was just enough Parmesan and the there was the just right amount of pepper to make it interesting.  A large family size salad fed the two of us perfectly.  Also try their China Cola to wash it down.  They don't serve Coke products at Baba Louie's and this is a great substitute.  After the salad we went traditional and had a large Queen Margarita pizza.  The crunchy crust is skillfully topped with homemade sauce and wonderful fresh Mozzarella.  I would highly recommend trying some of the more interesting pizzas as well.  Cole's Creation is one of my favorites -- topped with fresh arugula and feta cheese.  With the large salad and the large pizza, we had about 2 slices left at the end of our feeding frenzy.  It was the perfect amount of food and the remaining slices make for a great snack later on.  Who doesn't love cold pizza!?

Final Analysis:
This incredible specimen of a pizza, in this adorable hole-in-the-wall restaurant, perfectly located in this quaint Massachusetts town made for a fun, relaxing and delicious lunch.  If you're in the neighborhood try it out, enjoy a great fresh meal and then go next door to the candy store for a sweet treat!

For dinner on Friday night, when my friend and I were scrambling for a place to go, I thought of Cafeteria first, because I absolutely love their macaroni and cheese, but didn't feel like having a repeat restaurant night.  Instead, we decided to go to Delicatessen and I was not disappointed.

I made a quick, last minute, reservation on Open Table (it's so nice that you can do this literally 15 minutes before you eat!) and we met at around 9pm.  The place was packed and even with a reservation it took about 20 minutes for us to be seated.  As stated before, I absolutely hate this.  But, here's the bright side, the maitre d' actually realized the error of his ways and bought us a round of drinks on the house.  At drinks ranging from $12-14, that makes a big deal at the end of the meal.  Before I get into the food and drink I must say this is not the kind of place you go to relax and have a quiet dinner.  Delicatessen is a place to be seen and heard.  Well, not really heard unless you scream, but it's definitely a scene!  The bars, upstairs and down, were both packed, and they clearly know their popularity, and boast it, by posting polaroid-esque photos on their menu and bathroom stalls.  But all kidding aside, the atmosphere is really fun, the decor is beautiful, and even the menus are perfectly minimalist.

For drinks I ordered the Passion Fruit Cosmo and my friend had the mango mojito.  All of the drinks actually sounded amazing and ours were surprisingly strong without tasting disgustingly of alcohol.  You must get the cheeseburger spring rolls.  They are so tasty.  They are gooey and crunchy and come with ketchup and cheese dipping sauce, and are great to share with someone (there are four rolls in one order).  I probably could have stopped eating at that point, especially because frying a cheeseburger is not really the healthiest thing on earth, but for dinner I had the chicken pillard.  I can honestly say I was taken aback by the size of the portion.  Usually at these hipster joints, where models frequent, there's no point having heaping portions.  This was the largest piece of perfectly grilled chicken I have ever seen, covered in two heaping handfuls of arugula drizzled with a balsamic glaze and shaved fennel and Parmesan...........

I am giving you a chance to stop drooling.........

Ok, it was really amazing, worth every penny, and I seriously savored every bite that I could take.  I unfortunately didn't finish my whole meal, but my friend who ordered the also delicious mushroom risotto had a bite of mine and totally agreed on the lunacy of this dish!

Final Analysis:
If you like the bona fide diner that is Cafeteria, you will love Delicatessen for it's one-step-up dining experience.  While I am all for quiet and calm dinners with friends, there's something nice about being in a cool space with lots of people just soaking up their surroundings.  Go in, grab a drink and some yummy appetizers and let yourself escape into this scenesters paradise!