Katie "Dirty Martini Master" F.'s Profile

I appreciate their use of Starbucks coffee for those really snowy or rainy days when I don't feel like walking the extra two blocks.  

I'm also obsessed with Evelyn, who makes a mean toasted bagel.  It's quick, easy, and I've never seen anyone spread cream cheese so neatly and efficiently.  Also, I always get a friendly smile when she hands me my bagel which is a great start to any day!

Good bar and clean rooms.  Outside looks a bit dated, but the L is close enough.

Another perk is that one of the bar tenders looked a bit like the situation.  He was older, but not a butter face.  Plus!

The only thing disappointing about this whole experience was the fact that it took me this long to do it!  Wish I was grandfathered into the "Sears Tower" group instead of the crowd of Willis Tower noobs.  

Tourist trap, but I loved every second.

The swanky tone of 230 Fifth is immediately set when you arrive at the building's "red carpet".  You're finally at the front of the line where a fashion savvy bouncer gives you the once over to decide whether you're in or you're out -- boys, no ripped jeans in this establishment and collared shirts are a must.  Once you're inside, you're led down a long hallway to the elevators.  To the top, please.  Upon the doors opening, you're welcomed by no cover and a large leopard figurine.  Let the night begin!

The niceness of no cover will soon wear off when you realize you're paying a premium price for beers and mixed drinks.  However, there's really no point in bitching unless you're willing to shop around the city for a dive bar with no roof deck.  The way I see it, you're paying for the experience and the gorgeous view.  To quantify my night, I ended up having 2 GG dirty martinis, which set me back $13 for each drink.  I can't complain because those 2 were serious business.  They were so outrageously strong that they (plus an additional birthday shot) were all I needed the whole time.

Some negatives are the bathroom situation for women.  You stand around in a pretty high traffic area and get moved around like cattle into around 6 stalls that are very reminiscent of airplane bathrooms.  I'm not sure what the thought process was behind that, but I don't get it and I don't like it.

That aside, the roof bar is one of the best I've ever seen.  The crowd is young and fun and fabulous.  You'll pay for your drinks, but somehow you won't mind since you're partying with the Empire State Building the whole night.  I will definitely be back to capitalize on the warm weather.

I came to Stephi's this past Friday night for a quick bite to eat and some drinks after watching Island of Slaves at the Plaza Theater (definitely a good show to see!).  

The bartenders were super friendly and chatty.  I love bartenders who are comfortably sociable.  I've had one too many experiences with exceptionally awkward bartenders.  Bad jokes... long awkward pauses.  Just no.

The group ordered calamari and mushroom pizza.  The calamari was perfectly cooked and not greasy.  A-freaking-PLUS!  I hate getting calamari that gives my jaw a workout.  The pizza had a nice thin, crispy crust.  Nothing too extraordinary, but still tasty.  

What I could rave on and on about forever are Stephi's dirty martinis.  Strong, refreshing, dolled up with 3 monster olives.  Mmm. I'm a big fan for the martini alone and I will definitely be back.

I've been to many Chipotles and love them all the same.  This happens to be my late night dinner during audit busy season.  I'm a big fan of the veggie tacos with pinto beans (everything is better with essence of bacon!).  

I'm not going to lie though, when I found out that Chipotle was a McDonald's brand, my world was a little rocked.

The best 9 bucks I've ever spent on my baby.  My car looked fabulous after its touchless car wash!

If you're claustrophobic, I would not suggest getting the touchless option.  You basically drive into a one car garage and have water sprayed at you from all directions.  Also note, there is an art to backing out of the "garage" when the dryers are on.  If you go too fast, you don't dry thoroughly.  If you go too slow, you can't combat the force of the dryers and you'll never get out.  I still haven't found that happy medium.  The last time, my windshield wipers were sticking straight out!  Whoops.

24 hour touchless works for me though!  I will be back once I can no longer stand the salt caked onto my car.

Went there last weekend for a friend's birthday.  The crowd there is a little sketchy.  Long story short, some fool pushed my boyfriend and tried to start a fight.  The little wuss ran away when he spotted bouncers.  I give the bouncers 5 stars for finding him and throwing his ass out.  What what.

I think the cover is unnecessary because it's not that good of a time.  If you're into fat girls or bachelorettes riding a mechanical bull though, this place is right up your alley.

Disappointed.  This is the second time I've done take out from Aji. I was really looking forward to it after getting a very satisfying tuna sashimi, miso soup, and edamame dinner about 3 weeks ago.  Tonight, I ordered spicy scallop maki, spider maki and salmon sashimi.  The soft shell crab had a very sandy texture and the taste was a little off putting.  The spicy scallop was ok, but I've had better.  The salmon sashimi was the real fall from grace for me.  It looks like it was cut with a bread knife!  The poor salmon was shredded with tears at its fat.  It tasted ok, but I couldn't get past how extremely unappetizing it looked.  

Maybe the dining in experience is a little different?  Unfortunately for Aji, this was enough for me to decide not to come back.

A good friend and I had brunch here not too long ago. I was dazzled by chef Gautier's rabbit mole.  Seriously, brunch doesn't get much better than a mimosa and perfectly seasoned, tender rabbit.

I will definitely be back for the tasting menu, as I'm sure I will be blown away.

Another great plus -- they grow some of their own produce on the roof!  Yes, yes, and yes.