Alec S.'s Profile

Comfort food paradise.

A great vegetarian omelet.
Bread that tastes as if it were just baked.
Good coffee.  Real cream.
Friendly wait staff.  
Comfortable setting with photos of old New York.
What could be better if you're looking for a reasonably priced, not-fancy place to eat in New York?

Chock Full O' Nuts Cafe in Flatiron gets 5 stars because it does what it tries to do perfectly.

Note that this review was for the PREVIOUS bagel store at this location.  The NEW management and store policies make it a very different place.

I miss M & V Bagel Deli Cafe.  It went from friendly, homey and comfortable to meh.

Old place: 4 stars
New place: 2 stars

I feel sad reading all the criticism of Coral Aquarium. Reading the reviews make this place sound like a horror show. I beg to differ.

The good:
They love animals.
They know their stock.
They will special order whatever you want.  If it's available, they will get it.
The prices are as good as anywhere else in NY. Discount on cat food when you buy in quantity.
They've always treated my wife and I with respect. They've always seemed polite and courteous to customers - even just after someone ripped them off (while I was in the store).

Yes, the owners are a little tired.  They've been here at least 4 decades.  Yes, it looks like something out of a 1970s pulp movie.  This is the real Jackson Heights. Wouldn't you rather have Coral Aquarium than yet another bank?

When you buy at a local store, the money stays in the community.  When you buy at a national chain, most money leaves. Look around - mom and pop stores are failing all over NYC, mainly because of rents and taxes.  When and if this one goes, you will have to buy online or through a big corporate chain.  How unpleasant that will be.  Do you want to lug cat or dog food on the subway?

Oh M & V how the neighborhood misses you.  You cared about Jackson Heights. You were always friendly. Families with kids came in and found places to sit. It was truly a place where people from different traditions in JH mixed. The owners of M & V got tired - or the landlord jacked the rent - and the store closed down.

Enter Slim's. The construction was totally new.  We were so excited to go in only to find a customer service disaster.  Tables - gone. Prices - higher. Friendliness - replaced with a Manhattan soup-nazi vibe. Quality - C grade generic Manhattan deli level.

My wife and I always want to support local business. We have returned here maybe 6 or 7 times.  I even tried to offer some suggestions gently to the manager, and was completely rebuffed.

Now I buy my bagels from the bin at Met Foods.  I'm happier at home than in this grouchy feeling place.

PS If the owners are reading this and want a successful business, call me. I'd be glad to give some practical suggestions.  Or better yet, just read some of the comments over at the Yelp M & V Bagels entry.

The good: great international food selection. Relatively clean inside. Orderly shelves.
The bad: Posted items on sale ring up regularly at full price. Even when the manager "Lipton" is called, and checks the price on the shelf, the sale price is not given.  The third separate time this happened, I decided I'd never shop in the store again.  Completely against the law.

Yet, I live in Jackson Heights, and have gotten used to this kind of thing.  So, after 2 years, I've started going back to Trade Fair 37th & 75th again.  I've just decided to assume that sale items will not ring up on sale.  

But I'll never forget the flagrant disregard for honoring posted sale prices.

Our two indoor cats were very happy to become acquainted with Dr. Nebel.  Their human companions were especially pleased to find a competent and caring vet who could come to the cats, rather than having to juggle them through the hassles and stresses of transportation in NYC.

Dr. Nebel is a gentleman, has skill and experience, communicates clearly, and obviously loves animals.  What more could you want in a veterinarian?

Highly recommended.

From his website:
Dr. Matthew Nebel provides thorough medical, diagnostic, and dental care for pets in the comfort and relaxed atmosphere of their home environments. Known for his kind and empathetic manner, personal attention, and excellent diagnostic and medical skills, Dr. Nebel makes house calls throughout Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn at convenient hours. In the event that a procedure requires a hospital setting, transportation can be provided to nearby veterinary facilities.

Rebecca is a sensitive and accurate reader.  I've known her as a professional colleague for more than a year. In that time, I continue to be impressed by her integrity and dedication.  Highly recommended.

Knowledge, love and passion, respect for the customer.  What more could you want?

Real old-school New York - in the best way.

Queens Acupuncture is clean, skilled and professional.  It's also an excellent value.  If you're in the Jackson Heights area and looking for a quality acupuncturist, you'd do well to check out this business.

Just an update - physically continue to be in great shape - thanks in part to Queens Acupuncture.

Samina helped me with low energy and physical exhaustion resulting from a stressful work situation.  My appetite, stamina and overall energy are all once again excellent after working with Samina.  This was the only healing modality used.

PROS:
The office is clean and well-managed.  
The pricing is extremely fair - quite possibly the best in the NYC metro area.
Samina is an experienced, gentle, talented professional

CONS:
None

Worth any effort it takes for you to get to the office.  Highly recommended.

Wonderful asset to the neighborhood.  One of my favorite places to meet a friend for a quick chat and snack.  Though I speak only a little Spanish, it's been very easy to order.  Also, the service has been excellent on my 10+ visits.

This is a small location.  Larger groups may want to go down the block to La Nueva.

Recommended.