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Review votes:
581 Useful, 286 Funny, and 489 Cool
Huntington, NY
Yelping SinceMarch 2008
Find Me InMany places around the world...
My HometownHuntington, NY
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I am doing a million things...
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI am honest, straight to the point and truthful... either I like it or not...
My Second Favorite Websitethe entire internet
The Last Great Book I ReadMarley and Me
My First ConcertSpice Girls
My Favorite MovieAtonment, Sex and the City and many more!
My Last Meal On EarthPizza!
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...Get to know me and I will tell you...
Most Recent DiscoveryHow beautiful Route 1 (Pacific Coast Hwy) is!
Current CrushBlueberry, my dog!
DateHuntington, NY 11743
(631) 427-0999
Strawberry S Bakery Bar & Grill
Categories: Sports Bars, Lounges
We sat at one of the tables at the bar and we were served by a very friendly crew who was trying very hard to please. As we sat down and our drink order was taken, we were given a plate of brie cheese and Gouda cheese with peperoni slices. It was supper delicious but we had to use our bare hands to eat the food... they forgot napkins and silverware...
Our drinks arrived. The martini was very good, according to my friend, much better than the other places in town we have been to. My red wine was good as well. The only problem is that the martini glasses are smaller than other bars in town; thus making the serving smaller and 'forcing' the patron to have to order more than one...
As we sat there and enjoy our nice conversation over the super loud music, we were offered more complimentary food. Eventually the place will have a full menu, but not at this time. We were given 4 pieces of cheese filled raviolis with broccoli. This time, we did get silverware. Then we were given another plate of cheese and peperoni.
As we sat at the bar, we were trying to figure out what kind of bar is it... is it a sport bar? Is it a lounge bar? Is it a dance bar? It does not fit any of the above... Two big screen televisions on each side of the bar played a movie and the other one a football game. There is a huge fish tank in the middle of the bar too. But there is something off about this place. The decor is very uncoordinated. Don't get me wrong, it is new and nice. But the lighting, tables, chair, pictures, music, name of bar did not coordinate and we kept trying to figure out what is the "concept" of this place. And why is it called "Strawberry"? There is nothing Strawberry about it...
But the seating is arranged more like an outside patio with vines hanging off the ceiling. Two big pull-down screens at the other end of the bar played the same Christmas computer animations of snow falling and Christmas trees... why? Is not even thanksgiving day yet? And behind the pull-down screens, there were nice candle holders that would be nice if they were lit and shown.
Bathrooms were nice and spacious. Oh... and there is a snow cone machine at the entrance as well... why?
We will come back here to try it again... I do hope all the minor glitches are fixed my the time they bar gets a "full/grand" opening, music volume lowered, and decor fixed to match the concept of the bar. As it is the new place in town, I do wish them great success and hopefully attract more people over to our little Main Street of Huntington.
Rio has a great lunch special: $7.95 on a choice of Marcia's Skirt Steak, Marcia's Grilled Chicken Breast or the Marcia's Grilled Tilapia. All of them come with a choice of the rice and beans or salad.
I sat at the bar and ordered the grilled tilapia. The ambiance of the place is nice, with a full bar and bar stools all around. There are tables nicely located all around with plenty of space in between them. As I looked at the regular menu, there is a "tapas" type menu for the bar which looks quite tasty.
As for the food, because it is still a small restaurant, there was a long wait time; with one chef and one waitress running the whole place. I sat at 1:00pm and my food did not come until 1:25pm. However, the wait was quite worth it because the food was exquisite! And for being quite busy, the server was friendly, nice and chatty.
All of the dishes come in sizzling pans in a bed of vegetables. The fish was nicely seasoned. The rice and beans were the perfect side dishes with both being perfectly cooked. I truly enjoyed the food, specially when the regular dinner price is $16.95 but the lunch menu allows a nice $9 savings per dish!
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 4.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 5.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.5 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.5 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Price Value: 5.0 out of 5.0 (for lunch)
Final Score: 28 out of 30 (93 out of 100% or A- grade)
Final Comment: Great food and service makes this one a place I would come back for lunch any day but give yourself plenty of wait time to get your food. I will skip the overpriced dinner prices with an average of $16-20 per dish.
Huntington, NY 11743
(631) 423-3057
Village Creperie Cafe
Categories: Specialty Food, Creperies
I ordered a cafe latte ($3.95) with the scrambled eggs, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms and onions breakfast crepe ($6.95). I sat it the back and waited for my food to arrive. The coffee was a little bit watery which was disappointing. However the crepe was quite good. It was served super hot. But the food was extremely fresh... specially the mushrooms. A lot of places do serve the canned ones, but this was truly fresh mushrooms, delicious eggs and plenty of melted cheese. The breakfast was quite filling and enjoyable.
When I was here for lunch, I ordered the "La Luna" crepe which is chicken, cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes ($8.50). This was quite enjoyable and filling as well. Quite happy with the outcome of both meals.
As another Yelper said (Amador A), it is quite disappointing to be served on paper plates with plastic silverware and one napkin. But the flavor of the crepe made me forget most of the little things that could improve the service quality and experience at Village Creperie.
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 4.5 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Coffee/Drinks Flavor: 2.0 out of 5.0
Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0
Final Score: 28 out of 35 (80 out of 100% or B- grade)
Final Comment: A great little place to have nice and delicious crepes. Nice ambiance makes it a great place but do not pay too much attention to the paper plates, plastic silverware or watered down coffee.... Just enjoy the food!
Inside of the spacious and nicely built vineyard house, you can buy all types of wines as well as wine products like coasters and openers, food to take and, the reason why we came here, to buy the best blueberry (and other flavored) ports there are anywhere!
Monthly membership information is available as well as more items to see and buy. Enjoy a wonderful few hours, sipping wine or port and eating a snack at this place!
This place is now called RIO - check out my review!
2 Previous Reviews: Hide »
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7/20/2009
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS!!!
Stay tuned... will let you know once it is back in business!!! -
9/8/2008
Lets start with the fact you need to come here super hungry! And having a few super strong and super tasty caipirinhas does help keep that appetite open!
And an important word of advice: you MUST MAKE A RESERVATION, specially over the weekend and if you are part of a group. Otherwise, you will have to wait a while or not be seated that night. So make the call....
This is one of the typical Brazilian restaurants that come around with long sticks full of different types of meats and they keep coming around until you are ready to explode! A lot of people think that you need to have the buffet (rodizio) only; which is totally not true. There are 3-meal options:
Option #1: The Rodizio (Buffet): For the super hungry (like me!) who likes to eat everything in sight. This option gives you unlimited trips to the buffet (salads and a bunch of super delicious side dishes) as well as the constant flow of fresh meats that keep coming to the table thanks to the good looking servers that move around the place with ease.
You get a little 'coaster' which is green on one side and red on the other. If you leave it on green side, they will stop at your table and offer whatever meat they are carrying at that time. When you switch the coaster to red, they should stop... and I emphasize "should" because the servers will not pay attention to the red coaster and continue to stop by your table... and who can't avoid a good looking server with a nice smile telling you: "Do you want some more meat?" Yeah, baby... oh... I think it is the caipirinha talking now... off the rodizio offers, take the prime rib, short ribs, sirloin steak, skirt steak, chicken drumstick, and sausages. For the dessert, (yes, ensure you leave room for a little taste!) take a bite of the passion-fruit mousse and/or flan.The cost: $22.95 for all...
Option #2: By the pound: Get a plate, go to the buffet, stuff it with all of your favorites, and pay just for the weight... that is for the ones who's stomach can't handle the delicious, non-stop servings of meats and the never ending buffet trips... When you make your trip to the buffet, go for: salpicao salad, red bean, corn and onion salad, eggplant in red wine, black beans laced with pork, tilapia in coconut milk, and fried bananas. The cost: $7.95 a pound.
Option #3: Just order off the menu... plain and simple.... If you order off the menu, go with the barbecued chicken, sirloin steak or baby back ribs.
The place is very nice, but small... I don't think the owners realized how successful they would become. Marcia's Kitchen is always packed between 7-9pm daily. So get ready to get cozy with those seated around you... and usually you do after a few of those delicious caipirinhas (how many times have I said that already!) Luckily, I can walk home if need be... phew...
The servers are super friendly and nice. The managers always stop by the table to chat with the patrons and maybe, if you stay until closing time (as we usually do) and after a few rounds of caipirinhas (5 or 6 by now) they might join you for one. They are happy to talk and ensure that your experience is a good one. There is nice 'bosa nova' music in the background and bathrooms are tidy.
The Final Verdict:
Ambiance/Decor: 4.5 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 5.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.5 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.5 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection/taste: 5.0 out of 5.0
Price Value: 5.0 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 4.5 out of 5.0
Final Score: 38 out of 40 (95 out of 100% or A+ Grade)
Final Comment: The food is just fantastic as well as the server and ambiance. Just a small (think of it as cozy) place. Ensure you have reservations and come super/extra hungry! Enjoy the drinks and the company of, not only of the people with you, but also the servers and manager on site. You will be definitely coming back!
New York, NY 10036
(212) 730-4800
The Glass House Tavern
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Theater District
The manager took us straight upstairs were we had a nice cozy corner table. Our waiter stated right away that it was his first day... hum... was he joking? Just keep on reading...
We ordered our drinks, two martinis, a glass of wine and a coke. At that time, we also stated that we had a show to go to, which is an immediate indication to any server that we have no time to waste; not rushed but not too lazy either.
The people next to us sat down, got drinks , ordered their meals, got appetizers and our waiter was nowhere to be found... I had to get up, get the attention of another waitress and asked her to get our waiter. She did reconfirm that it was our waiter's first day at work.
If it wasn't because we had some out of town friends with us, I would have gotten up and left. But we did not want to create a scene. So we sat there and what we suspected all along... our appetizers arrived and we still had no drinks! Not even a glass of water!
By then, the manager noticed we were not happy and drinks came shortly. No one has taken an initiative to correct our problems. But our server kept disappearing for long periods of time. Now I am quite upset. Should I call the manager? Oh, that's right... my out of town friends are here and I don't want to create a scene.
Our food arrived. By now, what it could be a very delicious and enjoyable meal, is now ruined by the lack of service. In fact, after we finished our appetizers, we sat there for, and I counted, 5 minutes with our dirty dishes, empty water of glasses and the busboys will walk by, look at us in awe, and walk away. At one point, even the manager looked our way and I shook my head and he just stood there... is everyone in this place working with no restaurant or service experience whatsoever?
I do have to say, the wine selection was fantastic, but in a very small portion for the huge glass that was served in. The martinis were not even filled to the top of the glass and we wondered why is that?
We ordered from the price fix menu which costs $29.95. I ordered the Tomato Mozzarella salad to start (two pieces of tomato and tow thin slices of mozzarella cheese served in a small bread plate size), followed by the Atlantic Salmon Fillet. The risotto that came with it was good but the salmon was flavorless... where was the sauce that is supposed to come with it?
As for dessert, I ordered the Pineapple Bread Pudding which was good but by now, I am not happy. The coffe served was old and tasted bad.
As I looked at the bill, the least that could have been done is to give us the drinks complimentary with an apology but we were charged for everything. I won't be making a return trip here anytime soon.
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 4.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 0.5 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 2.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: 4.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Taste: 2.0 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 3.0 out of 5.0
Price Value Overall: 2.0 out of 5.0
Final Score: 25 out of 45 (56% or D Grade)
Final Comment: Lack of service, knowledge and initiative, delayed on drinks, anemic drink portions, tasteless salmon, old/burned coffee and not even an effort to rescue this experience from the management crew, makes this a place I won't be coming back for a while.
As we were getting ready to leave, the waiter that we only got to see three times during our entire meal, now is a happy guy, spending time with us telling us the place has been only open for 4 months. Well, it does reflect on the service and meal. Don't get me wrong, this place has potential, but they better get their act together soon.
Skip this place for Tricolori Italian Restaurant next door which has great food, great service, great drinks and you won't be disappointed.
Manhattan, NY 10036
(866) 987-9692
Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition
Category: Museums
Neighborhood: Theater District
The Titanic exhibition is set-up chronologically... like you are a passenger boarding the Titanic. Your "boarding pass" has information from a passenger that was in the Titanic and gives you all of his/her background information.
The artifacts all spread out throughout the 1.30 hrs walk that takes to see the entire exhibition. First, you see real footage of the titanic being built, pictures and explanation of how the ship was put together. Items such as the ship's whistle and tools are in this part of the hall.
The second section, you feel like you are outside of the Titanic and, as you "board", you see suitcases and pieces of the ship spread out. Enlarged actual pictures and "rather small" boards where you can read the chronological explanation of what you see... (first critique: the boards are rather small and people gather rather close to read it) are all throughout the hall.
Riverdance, Titanic soundtrack and Irish music plays in the background to help with the ambiance of the exhibition.
Then you are outside of the Titanic, ready to board and go through the ship door... More artifacts are spread out throughout were you can ready who it belonged to, if the information is known; items such as wallets, glasses, and suitcases...
Then, as you "board the Titanic" you will see more artifacts, copies of the menus and even the plates used for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. Pictures and well-done recreations of what the halls looked like makes you feel like you are in the ship. You walk through the halls of the Titanic, see the restaurant, cabins and pictures of the passengers along with their bios.
Then, the moment comes when the ship strikes the iceberg... This part is dark like the night, where they even have a recreation of an iceberg and you can touch it. More pictures and videos of the recovery effort are in this part of the hall and even a real part of the titanic is available to be touched...
At the end, you see a list of all of the passengers of the Titanic with more intimate recovered pieces like clothing and personal letters, papers and passports... amazing that some are still readable!
The store, because it has to be one, has copies of the plates, mugs, books, movies and other items for sale.
Bag and coat check available. The only warning: do not fall for the audio tour. It is totally useless... there is more information on the walls and you get more out reading the boards than listening to the audio tour.... save $5 per audio rental. Price is $25 per person but worth every penny if you enjoy the story of the Titanic.
Centerport, NY 11721
(631) 854-5555
Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium
Category: Museums
However, the place is in need of much renovations and, in fact, one of the workers did tell us that they are barely making the bills to keep the doors open... sadly, the place needs some painting and up-keeping, the boathouse is falling apart and closed. Some parts of the grounds need to be taken care of and even the inside of the house needs some de-humidifiers as my sinuses and hedeaches went crazy as soon as I stepped in...
The place is a fab place to take the family for a nice afternoon to the planetarium, the marine museum and the grounds for the kids to play and run around.
Truly, I hope this place gets some grants to fix whats needs to be taken care of and keep the doors open.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 262-7244
Yum Yum Bangkok
Category: Thai
Neighborhoods: Theater District, Hell's Kitchen
We sat down and server was right there ready with menus and to take our order. We order a couple of Singha beers as well as the appetizer platter for two. The beers were served nicely chilled. The appetizer combo included two of everything: spring roll, satae and steamed dumplings among many others. The appetizer was quite tasty and the side sauces offered were quite tasty and delicious.
As for the main course, we ordered the Chicken with the Mussaman sauce (mild curry) and the Duck with the Panang curry sauce. The food was quite delicious exceeding all of my expectations. The food quantity was intense to the point of me not being able to finish it... yeap! That much... And the rice was moist, warm and perfectly cooked.
Service was nice, fast and efficient. The only drawback: bathrooms were quite disgusting and dirty. I felt that I would get e-coli from touching anything in there. Luckily I carry my own hand sanitizer... yuk!
As for the "people-watching" part: we got to see Cheyenne Jackson walking to do his Broadway bit... nice!!!
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 4.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: 5.0 out of 5.0
Bathroom Cleanliness: 1.5 out of 5.0
Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0
Final Score: 32 out of 40 (80 out of 100% or B- grade)
Final Comment: Fantastic Thai food in a good location restaurant with nice, efficient service but skip going to the bathrooms. Toilets in Penn Station are cleaner than here. But the food is worth every penny and will come back here soon.
9 Lists
We order a couple of glasses of the house Italian red wine. The portion was quite a healthy one. We ordered the fried calamaris, Bruschetta sampler, Mozzarella and Tomato salad and the Fried Mozzarella. The service was nice and quite professional.
The first food to arrive was the bread with a dip of olive oil which was quite good as the bread was very warm and soft. Then we received the Bruschetta Sampler and the Tomato and Mozzarella salad. Then the hot items arrived. Every single dish was delicious specially the fried mozzarella with the red sauce. However, the least favorite one was the fried calamari as it felt that it was just under seasoned and a little bit under cooked.
However, the overall ambiance, food and service makes this a place I would like to try again for a full meal.