Alevtina "Allie" V.'s Profile

After a day of walking around Manhattan, showing my out-of-town relatives around NYC, I came home craving a pizza. There are few options in northern Crown Heights so I wasn't very hopeful when I checked the Seamless app. But, lo and behold, I saw Pasha Pizza Pita on the list! I decided to give them a try and I'm very impressed.

I ordered a Caesar salad, an order of mac & cheese, and a small primavera pie (with sausage, Basil, tomatoes, mushrooms, and green peppers). It was all very, very good! The salad was crispy and fresh, with the dressing on the side and an order of pita chips. The mac & cheese is penne with four cheeses and it is warm, cheesy, and delicious! The pizza was also outstanding, with a chewy crust and fresh ingredients.

As a bonus, the delivery guy was also a really nice fella!

TL;DR: I ordered from PPP on a whim and everything went better than expected! Give them a try :D

Paws & the City is a boutique pet store that caters to a particular kind of clientele.  They offer organic & holistic nutrition, pet sitting, dog walking, and vet taxis, all in an adorable little place!

I stopped by the other night on my way home from work because my cat was running low on treats and had run out of wet food days earlier.  (Don't worry, I still fed him dry food.)  I had just read about them on a neighborhood blog so I decided I would go to support the local business.

I had not realized how small of a space they are but they managed to place dog & cat food, treats, bowls & other essentials, and beds along the walls so it doesn't feel cramped.  The employees are helpful and nice.  They also accept custom orders!

Overall, Paws & the City is a nice little store that fills a very specific need: holistic pet nutrition.  I hope their business does well because there's no need to travel to other parts of Brooklyn for wholesome pet food.

I've only been to a handful of bike shops but the Bike Shop on Hylan Blvd (between Wiman and Nelson avenues) has made an impression on me. It's one of only two bike shops on Staten Island so you would think it would be somewhat on the larger side... but it's actually quite small.  From what I've seen, they don't carry too many road or racing bikes.  It looks to me like they specialize in BMX bikes.  There's also a wall of accessories but I didn't examine it too closely so I don't know what all they carry.

The two times I've been to the Bike Shop were just for repairs.  Last year, I brought my bike in for a tune-up right after purchasing it (off a guy in Stony Point through craigslist).  The guy who helped me that time didn't seem like the brightest bulb in the box but I didn't hold it against him.  If memory serves me correctly (and it may not), my bike was ready by the end of the day (but I didn't pick it up for 2 days).  I ended up paying $30 for their services.

Then, today, I came in because I had a broken spoke that needed attention.  When I brought my bike in, I was happy to see a different clerk.  He ended up being much more attentive and enthusiastic.  I asked him to fix my spoke and just give the bike a once-over, make sure everything's OK.  He said it wouldn't be a problem and the bike would be ready by the next day at the latest.  Well, imagine my surprise when he called about two hours later to tell me I could come pick up my beloved bicycle!  This time, I paid $20.

Like I said earlier, I can't speak of their bicycle or even accessory selection but I know that they do great (and cheap!) tune-ups!  Depending on who's staffing the shop when you arrive, you may get great service or you may get mediocre service.  Either way, the employees don't talk down at you (making you feel about 2 inches tall)... and that's always a plus in my book.

Sign on the door says they're closed on Wednesdays, so plan your trip to the Bike Shop accordingly.

Located on Van Duzer St at Beach St, Vida is a charming little restaurant that's conveniently located near several bus lines (S51/81, S52, S74/84, S76/86, and S78) and the Staten Island Railway (Stapleton stop).  My guy and I arrived at this venue around 3 PM, hoping to catch the tail end of the lunch offerings.  However, we didn't call ahead so we didn't know that they only opened at 3:30.  (When we came back in half an hour, our waiter told us that they now serve lunch only on Fridays and Saturdays.  Boo.)

We had the option of choosing a combination from the prix fixe menu (starter + entree + dessert = $23) or picking & choosing off the dry erase easel menu that our waiter brought to us.  He also brought out the chalkboard wine list for us when we asked.  Not wanting to be limited to the small menu, we opted to choose our food from the main menu.

My guy had the Vida Bites appetizer (slow-roasted pulled pork with pico de gallo and avocado sauce) which he wholeheartedly enjoyed.  For an entree, he chose the Mexican Duo (rice, black beans, and a blue tortilla).  Our waiter told him that the dish would be "on the spicy side" but, from what my guy told me, it actually wasn't spicy at all.  (However, he didn't mind.  It was only when I prodded him about it before writing this review did he realize that the food wasn't prepared as promised.)

I ordered the Real Caesar (salad) and happily licked my plate clean.  The dressing was authentic and creamy and cheesy and ... mmm!  So good.  I think I'd go back just for the salad.  For my entree, I chose the Crispy Beer Battered Shrimp (4 or 5 giant beer battered shrimp with a buttery dip of some sort, potato chips, and what looked like a mayo-less coleslaw).  Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the "crispy" part ... but it was still really good!  All that was left on my plate were the shrimp tails.

This really was an exceptional dining experience.  Our waiter was incredibly attentive and responsive.  (Sure, we were the only diners ... but still!  He seemed genuinely interested in making sure we enjoyed ourselves.)  And, when we asked, he was more than happy to pair beer with our food.  I was slightly put off by the fact that the menu exists only in easel (and not in distributable paper) format but I appreciate that it creates less waste.  Besides, our waiter knew the menu very well and provided explanations for the items listed on the board.

The only other thing I want to mention is the tiny bathroom.  It's tiny!  It does its job but if you need a large bathroom (e.g., handicap accessibility, baby changing, etc.), you are out of luck.  If you just need to use the loo or wash your hands, though, you're all set!

So, in conclusion, the prices are on the slightly expensive side (for 2 starters, 2 entrees, and 3 beers, we paid $72 before tip) but it's totally worth it.  The next time I come here, I'll (1) call ahead to make sure they're open and (2) order a bottle of wine with the prix fixe dinner and take my time, really savoring the food in the warm & cozy restaurant.  (There's a discount on wine if you order from the prix fixe menu!  If we didn't need to bike home after eating, my boyfriend and I would have chosen this route tonight.)

I rushed in here early one morning, frantic to get a couple of single roses for my female coworkers on International Women's Day.  I was very surprised by the selection of flowers, gifts, and cards that are offered here.

The gentleman who helped me was very patient and did a fine job of wrapping each rose and adding a matching ribbon.  While he prepared the flowers, I looked around the establishment with my mouth hanging open.  There are balloons, teddy bears (of all sizes), baskets, figurines, and greeting cards (that look home- or locally-made).  This is different from the other flower shops I've visited, which only offer flowers and lawn/patio ornaments.

Right across the way is Rite Aid (with its own parking lot), which offers a greater selection of commercial greeting cards and other knickknacks.  If you can't find something at Petals, you can always quickly make a run to Rite Aid.

A week after I first walked into Petals, one of the coworkers approached me and asked, "Where did you buy that rose!?  It's still alive.  My husband got me a bouquet for Valentine's Day and it barely lasted 3 days.  The single rose you gave me is still strong and fragrant!"  I was very glad to hear that she enjoyed her rose (and tiny teddy bear, Tatty http://carteblanchegre...).

If I'm ever in the neighborhood and need another emergency bouquet, I'll definitely stop in.  It was a very pleasant shopping experience.

I've been to this mall only a couple of times... and each time, I've managed to get lost.  Somehow, I can't get used to the route I need to take to get here from Staten Island.  But, like one n. wrote, "that can change with practice."

The last time I made the drive over here, it was specifically to visit the Game Room  to see what my boyfriend and I could learn about the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons from the staff members.  Instead, we ended up learning that the 3 employees who were on duty at the time were a bunch of elitist snobs.  They didn't answer my guy's questions about the different versions of the game, their preferences of version(s), and why.  However, I expected as much... and did not let this experience ruin our day.

On the way out, I walked into Le Gourmet Chef and did everything I could to prevent myself from purchasing everything in the store.  In addition to the traditional cookware, they also sell some food items (like sauces and mixes) and offer samples.  Mmm!  I'll definitely be back to this store when I have extra cash to burn.

The next time I shop here, I'll try to make a day of it to get the full experience.  (I haven't even seen a single restaurant, as Woodbridge doesn't have a food court per se.)  This mall is equidistant with the Staten Island Mall from my home... but it's much nicer than the SI Mall.  The decor is somewhat unique for a shopping center and the lighting is definitely reminiscent of "romantic lighting," as John M. put it.  (Other than that, though, I don't think one is inherently better than the other.)

But, really, I think everyone likes malls that are not "theirs."

After reading the reviews of Adobe Blues here on Yelp, I finally talked my boyfriend into dining there.  I read some of the reviews to him, highlighting the promises of authentic Tex-Mex cuisine and pointing out the great beer selection (which, in the end, is what did him in).

Coming from the southern end of SI, it took us about 45 minutes (by car) to arrive at Lafayette Ave & Fillmore St.  Once we were inside, it was difficult to pick out the maître d'.  (He didn't greet us or anything.)  Immediately upon walking in is the bar; slightly ahead and to the right is the dining area with a fireplace.  However, the dining room seemed to have more of a bar atmosphere than the bar itself -- after we were seated, my guy and I couldn't hear each other speak.  Yelling over a table to your significant other is not my idea of a good time.  (On the other hand, if I went with a bunch of friends instead, I'm sure I wouldn't have minded as much.)  For this reason, this is not a family dining place -- not because "the place attracts alot of gays," as Robert M. so helpfully pointed out. (Please note the sarcasm.)

For a Thursday night, the place was surprisingly packed.  Consequently, the service we received wasn't the greatest.  Our waitress came around only sparingly.  She took our drink order and then disappeared for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, a tall, lanky guy wearing a fedora and skinny jeans walked by and plopped some nachos & salsa on our table... and just kept walking.  It was only slightly rude on his part.

After our drinks arrived (half carafe of white house sangria for me, bottle of Duvel for the boy), our waitress reappeared and took our order.

The mini tacos we ordered as appetizer were really good.  The 10 tiny hard tacos came with salsa (standard fare salsa; same as was served with free nachos) and sour cream (that I ordered separately for $1 extra) on a bed of lettuce.  I think the meat inside was chicken.  (The menu described it but I just didn't care.  I had a craving for tacos and the meat filling was not important.)

My guy ordered a bowl of red chili con carne and was sadly disappointed by its bland taste.  "I was expecting it to be spicier," he explained.  I tasted a spoonful and agreed.

As reviewed by others, the Drunken Mexican Shrimp (served over rice with 2 warm tortillas) was very good.  The shrimp were big and plentiful, and just the right degree of spicy.  The Chile Rellenos that the boy ordered consisted of 2 stuffed chile peppers full of gooey cheese (perhaps TOO much cheese) served over rice.  He couldn't decide whether he liked it or not -- so he settled on calling it a "mediocre" entree.

All in all, we left the place with full bellies and fuzzy heads.  If/when I come back, I'll try to bring a bunch of friends so we can all yell over one another like everyone else does.  If I want a more intimate dining experience, I'll take the boy out to one of our other usual spots on Staten Island (e.g., Forest Thai Cuisine or Taste of India).

I think "Unique Lounge" is a peculiar name for a place that seems so trite.  It's located in a small strip mall (with a Chinese restaurant and a pizzeria) that shares a wall with a Shell gas station. There are twinkly lights hanging over the awning. It's kinda weird.

Inside, there is a dartboard, several TVs tuned to sports events, a digital jukebox, and something like 4 pool tables. In addition to the seating at the bar, there are also several overstuffed chairs with small tables. (The chairs look like something out of your grandma's house... but they're comfortable!)

The jukebox has almost every song imaginable ('cause it's hooked up to the interwebs) but it'll cost you quite a bit to keep the music going. And you'll want to keep the music going as there is nothing else going on in the lounge. The customers are your typical SI fare: preppy white boys... so don't expect any interesting conversations.

Overall, it was an expensive evening that wasn't anything to write home about.

Honestly, the Farm on Adderley does not need any more good reviews. However, I just had lunch there and I'm still daydreaming about the portobello sandwich... so I figured I should join in on the Farm-praising on Yelp.

This restaurant is located on Cortelyou & Stratford Rds. in the Ditmas Park neighborhood. For someone coming from Staten Island, this is a wee bit out of the way. However, it is only 5-10 minutes by car from Brooklyn College (my alma mater and current place of work) and about 4 blocks from the Cortelyou Rd. stop on the Q train. The only parking available is on the street so it is sometimes difficult to find a spot. However, your appetite (and anticipation) only grows in the time you spend circling the neighborhood... so the Farm's exquisite cuisine tastes that much better once you're finally inside and seated.

As someone mentioned previously, the food has a very upscale presentation at a very reasonable price. We stopped in here for lunch today and paid $30 (+ $6 tip) for lunch for 3. Both my boyfriend and my friend ordered the tuna sandwich (with roasted tomatoes, capers, olives, and basil) on country bread (which is delectably soft on the inside and surprisingly crispy on the outside) for $8 apiece. I ordered the portobello sandwich (with mozzarella, sundried tomato, pesto, arugula, and red onion) on a baguette, also for $8. Each sandwich came with a side of mixed greens that complemented each sandwich perfectly. We also enjoyed a generous serving of French fries with curry mayonnaise for $4.

I'm seriously drooling as I'm writing this. I would sample their entire lunch menu if only it weren't for my decision to remove meat from my diet. Unfortunately, there are only a few items on their menu that are vegetarian-friendly: portobello sandwich (which I've tried and wholeheartedly recommend; see above), peas 'n lettuce (bibb lettuce, sweet peas, buttermilk dressing, and crispy leeks), bread & dip plate (assorted toasted breads, hummus, tabouli, and roasted eggplant), and the various toast options (ricotta & roasted garlic, grilled eggplant, roasted tomato & olive oil, and butternut squash & parmesan). However, my veggie sandwich filled me up. It is 5 hours later and I'm still quite content. (So content, in fact, that I cannot stop thinking about my lunch.)

I'm not big on alcohol (especially at 12 PM and right before work) so I cannot say anything about their selection. I just know that they have a full bar, as well as beer & wine lists that look reasonably priced. If you're ever unsure about what to order with your entree, you can ask the very helpful waitstaff.

Speaking of which, I love the Farm's waiters. They're friendly and upbeat, and never pretentious. They seem really eager to make sure that you're enjoying your stay.

I love the Farm on Adderley... and recommend it to everyone.

I first donated blood when I was 16 years old, at my high school's blood drive. I had to get my parents' permission and everything. It's now 6 years later and I'm trying to make platelet donation a regular thing. (I found out that my blood type is ideal for platelet & plasma donations. It's actually pretty sucky for whole blood donations.) The NY Blood Center at Staten Island makes blood & platelet donation easy and enjoyable.

The facility is located on the second floor, in suite 202, of 2791 Richmond Avenue. It's clean and roomy. There are four stations dedicated just to apheresis donations. Each one has a personal TV with headphones. (Alternatively, you can bring your own music player and/or book.) The computer makes it easy to know when your donation began and how much longer you have to go. You're also aware of when to squeeze the ball (to encourage blood flow) and when to relax. (You squeeze on "draw" and relax on "return.") Be prepared to spend around 1 hour and 30 minutes hooked up to the apheresis machine.

On the other side of the room (against the large windows) are the whole blood stations. Because these donations are quick, these stations don't come with any perks. There are no TVs and no computer that draws your blood. But the seats are comfortable! :)

No matter what you're there for, the staff members are always making sure that you're feeling well and constantly encouraging you to call on them if you need anything. They're really a super bunch. They have fun with each other and are really friendly with the blood donors.

It's a really top-notch blood center and I've already scheduled my next 4 platelet donations online at http://www.nybloodcent... That's also the website you would visit for more information on whole blood and apheresis donations.