Florence "The SituAsian" Y.'s Profile

I picked Pio Pio for a girlfriend date and she suggested this location...for some reason I had the Hell's Kitchen one in mind but still trekked over to the UES location...and I was sorely disappointed.

It was just us two...and we got seated in a small crowded place, the menu was so limited. We got the combo...and the fries came out cold. My chicken piece was not cooked all the way, I got it changed and it was cooked...a little more. The salad was sad-looking and unappetizing. It was difficult to get the attention of the wait staff for water and the chicken change-up. At the end, they would came by to clear our plates aka hint for us to leave. We didn't ask for the check..it was pushed onto us. It wasn't as if we didn't want to leave there any quicker.

I felt so cheated and unsatisfied when I left. If it wasn't that crowded and I was bitchier, I would have asked to speak to the manager about my chicken that wasn't cooked well TWICE but whatever.

Tip-bits:

Small place, so it gets loud and crowded during peak hours
No real Peruvian food, only chicken. And not even that great at that.

I had store credit for Goodwill so i figured I would stop by on a Friday afternoon after work to try my luck..and boy was I lucky!

2 coats - J. Crew and Anne Klein - $8.49 each
3 games - $15-ish. New (within the last couple years!) that are educational, I was opening the packages to ensure that all the pieces/cards were included and the staff lady said nicely they were cause she checked and taped them up herself.
2 dresses - $8.49 each
4 Pottery Barn dessert plates -$1.19 each (Who needs Fish Eddy's now?!?)
3 books- $9ish?
1 THINner scale (BRAND NEW!) - $14.99 I scanned the barcode and http://amazon.com had it for $30.

They had these industrial/commercial shoe holders for sale for $14.99 which I was so tempted to buy but I couldn't bring it home on the train (no hands! :(....) And they had these wall decals for $7 (brand new)...that would be a splurge. So I behaved.

Shopping at Goodwill is pure luck, sometimes you find gems/treasures, sometimes you don't. Either way, you need to have patience...but when staff are helpful and polite and worked fast at the register...then it's worth coming back. :)

Tip-bits:

Staff do check games/items in boxes and then tape it up = diligence
No Salvation Army aka homeless people smell
Large store with clearly labeled rows of clothes
4 fitting rooms
Security guard and checked- bad counter to the R when you walk in

I've been there twice now....both times for brunch and I've enjoyed myself. The first time was eggs benedict which were nothing phenomenal but this time around, I got the croque-madame and I loved it! The cheese covered the ham and I got a poached egg to top it off. For $9.95, it was just the right amount. My friend got the burger and he finished it off quick. Had to ask for ketchup on the side though.

Service was good, I think they import their waiters from France too! I may be biased but they will be my go-to brunch place in my hood. :)

Tip-bits:

Cash only
High-chairs are available for the little ones
I think you can call to reserve, I heard the lady boss setting up the tables cause the group called in advance.

Thanks to Groupon, I've been to Peachfrog twice now! And today I was super excited and happy...so I decidedly it's time I wrote them a review.

I got myself a pair of Anne Klein boots for $25 (post $60 Groupon), originally $99 on http://piperlime.com....I got a pair of leggings and 2 pairs of wool gloves for cheap. 30% off this weekend! What was nice....the saleslady rang me up and split my purchases so I could make the most out of my Groupon, without me stressing/hinting/fussing about it.
They got a good selection of shoes, little disposable sockies available. Interesting homeward section - bookends, candles, pillows, bedsheets and tableware.

The only thing that kind of bothered me a little was....I was in the store for about 2 hours, and the sales people would occasionally come by to check on me....but I see them pandering to the other customers. Maybe I just didn't look enough of hipster Asian to warrant their attention....but whatever. I suppose I was a little needy for attention. Oh well.

I can't wait for the next Groupon sale! It's like a designer Urban Outfitters!!! :)

Tip-bits:

Bathrooms by the checked-bag counter, to the L when you come into the store via the ramp.
Expensive but exquisite furniture on sale
Occasional sales that apply to EVERYTHING in store
If you have a Groupon, you can split your purchases so you make the most out of it.
Price tags list original price
Baby items found on the side of homeward/candles
They have the mascot dog in store sometimes.

I've never wrote a review for Ippudo!??!?! I've been here a bazillion times (the very few times feels like forever when you are waiting in line!) and this last time really topped it.

I ain't going to talk about the food because everything is amazing, every ramen is da-bomb. Let's talk about service.

I had a family friend come in from DC with her two kids, 4 and 2 years old respectively wanting ramen. I called Ippudo up to check if they were children-friendly...and they certainly put a spin on children-friendly. I came at 5pm to put my name down, told the hostess I got two kiddies in tow for the reservation, and she promptly called me around 7:00pm, was very patient when I told her my party was still flagging a cab from Madison Sq Garden. She told me to let her know when my party arrived since we didn't want to keep the kids waiting, especially in that loud, packed bar area.

Party came, we were seated and the waiter brought out plastic cups with straws for the kids, cartoon bowls and plates for them with plastic forks and spoons. We requested all sauces to be on the side, cause we were afraid the peppery sauce may be too much for the children. The waiter/waitress were very attentive, coming by with extra napkins/wet towels, making sure our waters were always refilled. At the end, the 2 year old began crying and the waitress came by with a scoop of pear sorbet that shut the kid up...probably helped relieve teething discomfort. Of course, the kids began to roam and run after dinner...and the waiters cleared the way. I must say I was super impressed with how sincerely child-friendly they were.

They deserve a 6th star for their service, despite their insane lines/crowd. :)

Tip-bits:

Dinner starts at 5:00pm. Either stand in line at eat at 5:00pm, or put your name and number down for dinner at 7ish.
Bathrooms are down the stairs that are off to the R of the hostess table.
Kid-friendly

I've been here twice now...and I've only checked-in once. Maybe cause I was a little tipsy before?

I've always walked by...and finally I got a group of friends who wanted to go there on a Sunday night, it was a good choice....crowded enough to meet new people but not overly packed that you couldn't sit or talk to your own people. The second time I went...I went for happy hour...people were there on laptops so I am assuming they have wifi. I got me the burger..which wasn't all that impressive...but my friend had the mac and cheese...with the option of bacon. I wish I got that instead..the portion was huge. Definitely getting that the next time.

Plenty of beer options, young approachable friendly Brooklyn hipsters...it's my go-to place for a beer in the area!

Tip-bits:

Cash only
Order at the window and pay at the window  (near the bathroom to the left back corner)
Craft beers on tap, read the menu
Right by the F and G on 15th St

Call me ignorant but I never knew Koreans did noodles! A friend wanted soupy noodles but not ramen, so I yelped for help and found this secret gem!

The portions are hugeeeeeee...the noodles came in bowls the size of face basins! My friend had the spicy noodles and polished it all up. I had myself the ginseng spring chicken soup which was really...'bland' in the good healthy way. I am drooling just writing this review. It took a while to prepare but so worth the wait, they stuff the chicken with rice and then boil/stew/cook it in this ginseng soup. Soooooooo good!!! It comes with salt, peppers and garlic. I just used soy sauce for the chicken. The seafood pancake was very nicely done too...alot of spring onions but I ate it anyway.

Definitely my new favorite Korean/noodle spot in the city! Oh, ginseng chicken...I am coming back for you!

Tip-bits:

Only 5 people in the elevator- skinny ones at that.
Bathroom is off to the left, by a desk/table/register?
Cold barley tea is what they serve by default, but you can ask for hot one too

It's 10:30pm and I am STILL burping the crab cake benedict I had at Bluebell at 2-ish pm. lol

I had myself the crab cake benedict...it was tasty, not too salty and made out of REAL fresh crab, not that fake, Asian orange stick crabmeat!!!! The potatoes that came with were fried with peppers and onions, well-done. I pretty much cleaned out my plate.

The service was good, waitress was on the ball with drinks and eager. The food took a tad bit to come out..but it would be because we were a big group...and tipsy/drunk/obnoxious. lol

If I am in the area, I am certainly coming back! And thanks Phil H. for sharing this place with us!  *burpppp crab cake*

Tip-bits:

2 bathroom stalls in the female bathroom, I think there's two in the male bathroom too..*wink* inside joke
Brunch till 4pm? on weekends
Sample the beer if you ain't sure

Why is it a 5-star event? Apart from the fact that I got a "present" from Yelp aka Peter D.?!?!?!?!?! Let's do the rundown!

1. Intimate - the event and the space. Low lighting, 20-30 people? I like the tea light concept, probably a good dinner date place.
2. Old and new faces - that's always good, right? :)
3. Drinks - I like the two drinks offered - the sangria and the Moscow Mule - 42 below honey with ginger ale. I must admit the latter smelled a little like a Yankee candle but the taste was sweet yet not overly girly.
4. Food - I loved the mussels with the coconut curry, I wish there were more! :) The corn and crab soup was surprisingly good, real chunks of crab in there. Like I asked the waitress, "what kind of crab soup is that?"
The fried oysters...tasted like any other fried goodness, I still had myself two of that. Fried chicken with honey truffle was lightly fried, my chicken was still bleeding internally...so go with the drumstick next time. The dessert cake looked like an Indonesian cake with coconut shavings, but it was so light and fluffy the bartender had it in a mouthful! I heard the veggie pie was creamy...I passed on that. Kiwi burger- fried quail egg, lamb patty and beet? It was sweet and good, no weird lamb gamey smell.
5. Bartender from 42 below was entertaining, friendly and I had a good time learning how he makes his Kiwi burger (with a slice of pineapple he says) and we talked about his home country...and his sentiments about..Australia! lol
6. "Present"!!!!!  Yelp time bling! :) Red - my favorite color too! I should just dress up as a Yelp mascot next time... with my Yelp shirt with Yelp pins, my Yelp lunch box with chopsticks in them, hold on to my buffer stick, Yelp sweat bands and Yelp watch! Maybe for the Yelp Halloween party??? :)
7. Peter D. - For organizing yet another wonderful event! It was cozy, intimate...I actually got to talk to him more than at other events, I suppose there was less of us Yelpers trying to get some of his time. Peter, I still think you need to hang up the shirt you wear to each event with our name tags on there...then you can keep track who came and who didn't...and remember the good, possibly drunken times! :) Thank you again!

Tip-bits:

If you look into the kitchen, it's glaring cause it's all white in there...as in the walls and the people working!!!! :)
Mussels in coconut curry a must!
Unisex bathroom by the kitchen to the L of the bar.

I say I am a fan cause they have a large selection of children's toys...and now that I am working with kids, this branch might be my go-to for educational games/supplies....if I could afford them! :)

I didn't hover too long that one time I came in, but compared to most other locations, it seemed less crowded for a weekday. Limited bargain section (2 rows or so?) There's a Starbucks cafe off to the L side when you come in. It felt a little library-ishn quiet...which was quite refreshing for a change in B&N.

Tip-bits:

Close to subway
Kid-friendly.