Alex "HeadUp" K.'s Profile

Decent food, great atmosphere, terrible service. What could be an East Village version of Five Leaves succeeds in some fields but stumbles in others.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
I have walked by the place a dozen times with my girlfriend, it looked so appealing and warm, the menu looked exciting, so we decided just a few hours ago to give Flea Market Cafe a try. Almost instantly, our lofty expectations were damaged by service that informed us of Flea Market's first little unspoken rule: you need to call in advance and make reservations. Of course, you could still get a table if you walk up, but they will try and let you know as if it's some exclusive place around the corner.

THE ATMOSPHERE:
Very charming, a cool french-pop-inspired soundtrack to match the Paris-flavored flea market ephemera adorning the space. The lighting is warm and buttery, like many of the surfaces, a bit cramped, but it wouldn't feel like a French bistro without the cramp factor.

THE FOOD:
Tuesdays are all you can eat mussles + fries, but don't you DARE share a mussle, or try to order their special if you plan to share, even if you plan on buying two more entreés and have no intention of taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat deal. Save yourself the Larry David scenario, make sure you know unspoken rule number 2 and you should be fine. The mussels are decent. I had duck confit that was missing something, my girlfriend tried their couscous with merguez, which was charming and authentic, served in a tajine pot, the flavor was exquisite, it felt like I was in Algeria when the French controlled it.

THE SERVICE:
Squarely the reason for the three star rating. I tried my best to separate our awful experience (most others would 1- or 2-star this place if they put up with what we did) from the fact that everyone else around us was getting much better, friendlier service. Everything the waitress did was wrong, I'll leave it at that, maybe she was having a rough night. The food runners didn't help the situation, I know I'm in your way boys but it's not my fault, your restaurant is cramped and crowded.

THE PRICE:
I'm surprised this is only $$ at the moment, sure you pay less for some of what would be slightly more expensive elsewhere, it's not the cheapest mussel deal, and we both just sort of felt disappointed with what we were paying more than $100 for. Oh and unspoken rule number 3, it's cash and AmEx only, which wasn't made apparent until we got the bill.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
What really matters is the food, and to an extent, Flea Market has this down. Mussels and Couscous, both of which occupy full sections of their menu, are the way to go. However, the whole way they handled us as customers, constantly informing us of what we were doing wrong if we wanted to pay substantially in order to eat their food, it left a bad taste in my mouth. There are so many options in this neighborhood, seeing everyone else enjoying it so much, both before and during our time there, had our hopes at higher levels than what they could deliver. I'll come back maybe but not for a while.

Excellent for brunch, shielded from subway crowd, great atmosphere. The Croque Madame is divine.

I went here on a beautiful glint of spring in late February with my girl, it was everything you could want from a brunch experience.

The atmosphere is cozy and stylish (although as a designer, I have to say their business card could use some love, I'd gladly do it for them for the payment of, say, free brunch for two). Also, I have to admit I was really happy to find a quieter place that wasn't packed to the brim with tourists, B&Ts, and fellow Brooklynites, it's juuuust far enough from the Subway that it feels like Casimir is reserved specially for the denizens of ABC.

The service is very friendly and non-invasive, without being lazy and inattentive. And, as mentioned above, the brunch is very good, especially for the price of $9.99. We have a slightly creepy habit of splitting whatever we get, so a Croque Madame and Eggs Benedict split, both were good, but the Croque was really delicious, I can't wait to come back for another.

How hard is it to be a decent deli in New York City? Evidently, it's nearly impossible for these guys. I have had the misfortune of living very close to this place, yet they are rarely open past the time the other eateries in the dark canyons of the FiDi, is this because they are just lazy or because they are graciously sparing us their awful food selection each evening?

Well, I've now been to Tax Cafe enough times to notice the patterns, so I will lay them out for you.

For one thing, Taz Cafe could be making tons of money off the evening and late night crowd, there are plenty of residential apartment buildings nearby. One visit there, however, and it will be quickly evident that the only thing the employees care about is nothing. The consistently poor, unfriendly attitude is something of note, and might be the first thing that makes you want to leave before even getting your food and never come back.

The options on the menu look appealing enough, and some people say the salads here are good. With Just Salad less than a block across the street, working with much fresher ingredients and happier employees, I don't see what makes Taz worth the one dollar savings, and I'm probably more money conscious than you, just saying.

You get your order, more often than not without issue (for the above two things, the only redeeming qualities of Taz, two stars are given instead of one), but that is most likely because most of NY gets what I'm talking about and avoids it outright, because there's never anyone else there.

The cashier girl, man oh man, did I assault her grandmother in a past life? Did I look at her wrong or say something, or not say something? She can't divert her attention from the whining of her co-worker, who reminds me of the Trinidadian nanny from 30 Rock ("So...whatchu wan' do? I no steal 300 dolla from the register."), to ring up my order. I patiently wait for the story to finish, hand her my money and wait as the awkward social exchange continues. Every time she rings me up, she gestures at my bagged purchase as if it's toxic waste, with expression like she's too disgusted to touch it or wish me a good day. She seriously either hates life, or hates me, no clue why. Well, now she has a reason to I guess. Still, this was a pattern, it happened every time I went.

So, I've spent all this time complaining about the service, and I haven't even mentioned the food. Hopefully if you're reading this by now, you're at least a little amused and now know not to go here, but if you're still thinking of it...STOP!

In all the times that I've been to Taz, having tried the deli sandwiches, the breakfast sandwiches, the wraps, the panini, the salad, the baked goods, etc., etc. I have had ONE, count em, ONE good meal. The breakfast sandwich rolls must have been left over from last summer, they are practically dusty. Worst of all, however, both times that I tried a wrap, I couldn't finish it on account of a revolting, gag-inducing taste of nail polish or some kind of remover. It makes me sick just thinking about it. The panini with a side salad was the only thing worth trying, and to be honest, with all the options for lunch, especially panini's, and with nothing else going for the place, Taz just has nothing to offer you.

Unless they do some serious improving, making their employees a bit happier, or finding new ones with the capacity to avoid making customers feel bad for no fault of their own, removing the "secret ingredient" to those awful wraps, I don't see much of a future for Taz Cafe.

I have the good fortune of living around the corner from this new spot, and boy am I glad-- it is a shining beacon of mexican flavors in a sea of Chipotle's, which are two to three times as prevalent in the area as McD's. The price is marginally higher than Chipotle, but the richness of flavors more than justifies. First time I went I tried a salad, which was decent enough, but I've fallen hard for the Puerco burrito's chocolate-glazed pork and chipotle cabbage. There is a very rich and complex quality to these flavors in there, it's decadent almost, but not over-indulgent or over done. As a pulled pork lover who knows how much flavor is too much flavor, I appreciate the balance these guys have struck with their recipe. Definitely worth a try, especially if you find yourself saying you're sick of mexican food for lunch, but picture yourself in Chipotle when you say it. Let this place get you back into the groove.

I've been to Five Leaves three times now, once during the winter time for a quick coffee from the take-out window, and twice last week for late night fare and later, some brunch.  It came with the highest of regards from my good friends who live close by, two of whom are cuisine experts whose opinion on food I hold in high esteem.  Apparently originally owned by Heath Ledger, the reputation I had heard is of being unexpectedly laid back, serving appropriately-priced tastes of pure American contemporary culinary bliss.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Nestled comfortably in a corner near Manhattan Ave, home to some of the best-kept secrets of the Polish cuisine in Greenpoint, Five Leaves faces the edge of McCarren park, a delightful locale for all manner of Brooklyn's colorful denizens.  I still haven't been inside, as we stayed outside every time, but I'm told it's quite nice.

THE DRINKS:
I ordered a skim latte here one morning in December, it created a warming aura that melted the sleet falling all around me.  The dude who made it was super chill.  Last week, we came to Five Leaves in celebration of the release of my friend's EP, and I got to try the Bee's Knees- gin with a honey infusion, and the Corpse Reviver, which has an alcohol-soaked cherry and is mixed with Absynthe.  Both of them were seriously good, they are strong without being overpowering, with an excellent palette of flavors.  Highly recommended.

THE FOOD:
I recently fell in love with truffle fries, especially when they are served with a special mayo dipping sauce.  I only got to take part in a couple shared orders, next time, I'm getting an entire bowl all to myself, mwahahaha.  We also got mussels and oysters that night, I didn't try the actual mussels, but I got to try the sauce, which was bloody delicious.  I'm not big on oysters, but I had one, and it was pleasant enough I suppose.  When we returned to Five Leaves for brunch/lunch later in the week, I had the soft-baked chicken breast sandwich, which was served with arugula, chips of parmesan, and a crispy, but not rock-like baguette.  Delicious, the chicken breast was sliced and incredibly tender, rare to see such freshness and tenderness at the same time.  Killer food, I can't wait to continue to explore their menu, there's so much to choose from, it's hard to come to a decision.

THE SERVICE:
It's laid back, surprisingly so, as many places that feature quick and responsive service seem also to expect you to PTFO as soon as you've eaten and paid.  Five Leaves seems to encourage chilling, so long as it's not a crazy rush hour hit.  This feeling of being able to unwind while looking at the park and the passers-by is really nice, it adds enough to the experience to warrant mention in this review.  That said, it's also surprising how responsive the wait staff is, and how quickly our orders are brought out every time.

THE PRICING:
I guess the pain point of any incredible dining experience is generally the fact that it is going to cost what it is worth.  In cases where I feel like the food and the service and the atmosphere all generally warrant the bill, which are rare, I have no problem not only paying but also tipping nicely.  This is one of those places, so although we can complain that this pleasant a dining experience should be more affordable, we can never say no to the current relationship between wallet and palette.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
This is definitely one of my favorite places in the area, the food is very good, the drinks are well-made, the service is quick and responsive, and the atmosphere is relaxed-- that's something a lot of places aspire to offer but seldom deliver.  Five Leaves does it with ease, and they charge accordingly, but if you enjoy yourself like I do whenever I go, you'll have no qualms, and instead find a place to fall back on no matter what the situation or time of day.

Went here with a buddy on a Friday night, we thought it looked pretty chill and worth checking out as it sits across the street from Cafe Katja, where we had dinner earlier in the week.  I was definitely intrigued by the excellent design applied to the silhouette of what I imagine is the eponymous Spur Tree against a red background.  The inside looked dark and warm, we didn't really have much of an idea of what kind of food they served, however, so it was time to check it out.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
As I just mentioned, we really didn't know much about what kind of place Spur Tree was until we took a look at the menu outside, but it wasn't even until we stepped inside to hear the raggae jams that we determined that there was a prominent Jamaican/Caribbean influence woven throughout the dining experience.

THE ATMOSPHERE:
Small and narrow, with a chic-looking bar, and clientelle that is young and vibrant, a mix of groups of friends, maybe a couple or two.  I was surprised that there wasn't a patio in the back or some sort of outdoor or open-air seating.  I also wasn't a big fan of whatever scented candles they had burning, it didn't feel very conducive to the meal to have some kind of thick scent in the air other than the food.  The lighting and seating is largely warm and relaxed, meant to convey the comforting sensations of Jamrock.  And, as mentioned earlier, the soundtrack here is killer-- a mix of reggae, dub, funk, hip hop, it feels a little bit like being an undergrad again, but damned if it doesn't get your head bobbin' and shoulders moving.  This does a great job to deliver and reinforce Spur Tree's presence as advertised, "Reggae, Food, Culture."

THE DRINKS:
I was surprised to learn that it's not a full bar, but rather beer and sake only.  That disappointed me when I learned I couldn't relive Spring Break '06 in Jamaica with a Vodka Ting, I had to resort instead to yet another menu-listed drink whose name I was embarrassed to say out loud.  Regardless, it was pretty good, couldn't really tell the strength of the drink.  I didn't spend much time exploring the drink offerings either, since I had had my mind set on a drink with Ting, a carbonated pineapple beverage that's really big in Jamaica.

THE FOOD:
My buddy and I split the combo platter appetizer, which included dumplings, jerk chicken and shrimp tempura, it was decent enough, but left something to be desired.  It took a while for it to come out too, which surprised me, given my speedy dining experiences at other places in New York, but I'll get to that later.  I got the pan seared sea bass entree, it was absolutely dank.  There was a thin and crispy layer of scales, and the sauce it was served with, which included onions, peppers, and an infusion of truffle, was an incredible pairing for the fish.  We also ordered sides of bok choy and plantains.  The plantains were delicious, although they came out piping hot and didn't cool down too quickly.  The entree definitely redeemed what I felt was missing in the appetizers.

THE SERVICE:
I can't really think of anything specific to complain about, the staff was responsive, and courteous enough, but at the same time, I feel like there was kind of a lackadaisical attitude throughout.  Mainly, it was the wait for our food, and it's funny because Jamaican food has almost always taken forever to be served whenever I've had it, and I always make a big deal out of it.  I know by now that the idea is to chill and be easy, you in Jamaica mon...oh wait, no I'm not in Jamaica, the slowest country in the world, I'm in New York, the fastest city in the world.  It was also pretty hot inside the restaurant, to the point where I was wiping my brow with my napkin.  I'm not sure if the lack of fresh air is for any good reason, and we did feel it cool out just as we were leaving, but it is for these two reasons that I probably wouldn't bring a date here, I'd keep it for friendly affairs only.

THE PRICING:
The pricing is fair, with one exception-- I don't think the sides should be ordered a la carte, separate from the entree.  This seems to me like a way of inflating the check without looking expensive on the menu, everything else seemed reasonably priced, it just didn't seem like sides should have been given that treatment on the menu, they would have been better included in the price of the entre for diners to choose from.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
I was initially intrigued by Spur Tree, and I wish that there was a 3.5 rating possible, because it really does fall right in between a 3 and a 4 in my mind.  There are definitely some appealing aspects that make it worth checking out-- the music and atmosphere, the fusion of jamaican-inspired flavors, the plantains.  However, there were other aspects that didn't sit quite well with me, and might not please others.  Check it out if you have a group of friends looking for a chilled out spot to vibe and grub at a leisurely pace.

I was out getting some shopping and new eye glasses hunting done, when I finally got a chance to stop by 500 degrees to see what all the fuss has been about.  A crop of new burger places have popped up throughout the city, hoping to capitalize on the abundance of afficionados, we adherents to the art of the grilled ground beef patty.  No matter how you spin it, and each spot has it's unique offering, you've gotta get it right if you want to survive out here.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Nestled into Sansom Street, it's actually kind of easy to miss, but if you are at all familiar with the rest of Samson, you know what to expect.  During the warm days, the doors are kept open, and the little burger joint turns into a bit of a cafe, much more comfortable.  The decor, regardless of it's insignificance in this type of dining setting, is blah-- like a clone of Chipotle or El Fuego or a million other spots, and since it's so small, it's generally pretty crowded during the usual hours we humans choose to eat.  The place was filled with mostly college age students, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a posterboy for the american douche bro club and his girlfriend.  The ketchup is for everyone brah, don't make me jager bomb that tough guy look off your face.

THE BURGER:
I got a 500 burger, which included special sauce and bacon, served on rolls baked on the premises, or so I'm told.  The burger itself was very tasty, cooked to my liking, and temperature-wise not piping hot despite the considerable height of the patty's shape.  The summary complaint I had heard about these burgers was that they are too small...I'm not sure I agree, perhaps we should think about the value of an indulgent meal such as the one I chowed down on here, that doesn't leave us in a food coma.  I was satiated, having not eaten breakfast in the morning, as is usually the case when I get a real (non fast-food) burger.

THE FRIES:
500's truffle fries were the definite star of my dining experience, I had barely an introduction to the splendors of the gucci of flavors- that's right, truffle. The fries were cooked just the way I like them- not too thick, and crispy without getting burnt or dry.  The combination of garlicky seasonings and the truffle oil sprinkled onto it are incredible.  It might just be that truffle fries in general aren't hard not to make delicious, but I loved these.

THE SHAKE:
I got a vanilla milkshake because I can't remember the last time I've had one of those.  Perfect pairing with the truffle fries.  Perfect.  The two would combine to create these orgasmic intermezzos of flavor, shifting from salty to sweet with each bite and sip...okay I'm clearly getting racy here to get a rise out of you, but the flavors will get a similar rise, trust me.

THE PRICE:
I paid something in the way of $12-$13 for what I suppose is the ideal 500 degrees offering-- their signature burger with a shake and truffle fries.  In NYC, that would cover just the burger, the tastes are comparable, so comparatively, it's not bad.  I do, however, believe that you can get a cheaper burger that some might say bites the pants off of 500 at Good Dog.  I would go to Five Guys if saving money is all I cared about though, and I have no intention of doing that in lieu of either of the two afforementioned spots.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
I think the 500 crew has some great stuff cooking, definitely a spot the foodies of Yelp and Philadelphia at large should be checking out.  I wish the place had better seating, I'd rather not feel like I was eating in the butcher section, the price warrants the deliciousness, and I will definitely be back next time it's burger time.

I have had this sweet little art supply store across the street for some time, but sadly haven't gotten enough time (or purpose, perhaps) to bring more business here.  Nestled comfortably beneath West Elm and Lucky Strike, the building's sprawling basement becomes a veritable oasis of creativity.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
As you walk down the stairway into the store space, a slight bird's-eye view allows you to see the shelves packed with every kind of paint, ink, pencil, cray pas, canvas, paper, rule, and book.  It's very well-lit, and roomy, so you know you'll have a pleasant perusing experience.

THE SELECTION:
Comprehensive, to say the least.  There's an entire section for framing and poster-board along the east wall, everything from school-level art supplies to stuff for the more serious fine artist.  While the selection is pretty wide, there have been a few times that even Blick couldn't meet my need, so don't count on it for those stretch requests that you couldn't find anywhere else.

THE PRICING:
It's as spendy as anywhere else, you go there, probably spend more than you would have hoped, but there's no denying you'll be satisfied with what you get.  I'm not sure if we have Adobe to blame for the rise in art prices, but I remember being able to use my allowance on a big box of crayons, some stencils and a sketchbook, with a little left to spare on some Bubble Yum...if ya know what I mean.

THE SERVICE:
Good luck getting some service, they're always dealin with someone else whenever I'm there, I haven't been fortunate enough to get anyone's time whenever I've needed something.  The employees are likely mostly students at the nearby Art Institute, they know their stuff, but the underlying attitude that I see at most art stores-- bored, underpaid, undermotivated art students just trying to make some drinking money.  Not knockin the service really, but it's a funny truth you might now notice when you go.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
The quality and organization of their supplies are both top-notch, not to mention the place is conveniently located, which is what keeps me coming back, it's certainly not the pricing, however.  Recommended, in agreement with most other reviewers, over Utrecht and Pearl.

I went here with a couple good friends to celebrate a couple of things-- my admission to grad school in manhattan, along with my roommate's new internship on wall street.  We originally planned to go to Parc or Rouge, but having just been to Rouge earlier that week, we instead decided to revisit Alma de Cuba, where we hadn't been in over a year.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The decor is very nice, it's standard fare for Starr Restaurant Group to incorporate good design that combines modern American sensibilities with whatever culture or mood the place is intended to capture, in this case it's Cuba (durrr!).  The crowd is mostly adults and young professionals, there's an energy to the place, but by no means does it feel like young energy...it's more like bachelorette party dinner energy, or meet up with your old pals from your last job energy.  We went here a couple years back to meet a few girls our age, and it felt a little more energetic then than it does now.

THE SEATING:
Not sure if we got lucky, as the three story restaurant had a 45-minute wait, along with every other place in the area, but we were allowed to sit at what is usually a table for drinks and hors-d'vores, and have our dinner there...which was fine, the table wasn't the roomiest, but it would certainly be accommodating.  We also got to skip the line, I guess.

THE DRINKS:
We come to Alma for one drink and one drink only: the mojito.  I was hooked on Alma's mojito since 2007, for the excellent mix of mint throughout the drink, as well as a nice, thick stalk of sugar cane to chew on.  Disappointingly, both of these things I liked were not present in equal measure when I went recently, but it still tasted excellent.

THE FOOD:
We got a sampler of three kinds of Ceviche-- Rainbow, Yellowtail, and Lobster.  My favorite was the lobster, it's going to be something ceviche-lovers will really enjoy.  It was definitely fitting as a light appetizer for three.  For my entree, I had the crispy pork, which was a heavenly combination of tastes and textures.  I am developing a real weak spot for certain cuts and preps for pork, and even though my stomach felt it a bit the next morning, it was worth it.  Combined with the rice and beans, this humble ethnic dish goes from simple to sabroso with ease.  I also tried the mini taco appetizers my friends both ordered after the ceviche, very good as well.

THE PRICING/SERVICE:
The pricing is as Starr Group as the food and the ambiance: it's arguably justifiable for the taste and experience.  Our waitress seemed to be pretty freaked out at the prospect of getting yelled at if she served us where we were sitting, but once that was worked out, she was great.  We were able to eat at a pretty relaxed pace, without waiting forever to get moving once we were ready to hit the town.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
I'd give Alma 5-stars without a doubt if the year was 2007, but I just can't help but feel like things have gotten slightly stagnant, some aspects of the dining experience feel unchanged from three years ago, other things, like the craftsmanship I used to appreciate in their mojito felt lacking.  Simple things that could either have been subjective or that can be easily improved.  Definitely a good place with an atmosphere, worth trying out or revisiting regularly.

Went here with my buddy for his birthday, he had been wanting to go back and I'd never been, so I was excited to try some of this great food he was talking about.  It's bar food at the end of the day, but it's not just bar food, it's the kind of foodie fuel Yelpers probably love, made with choice ingredients and served up in a pleasantly subtle, divey down-home atmosphere.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
This place is more well hidden than Waldo playing hide-n-seek at the Super Bowl...ok that's an exaggeration, but keep your eyes open for this place or you'll miss it.  The place feels really warm, dimly, intimately lit (ie. xmas lights).

THE FOOD/DRINKS:
We drank lagers, so there's not much to say about the drinks, other than that they are reasonably priced, and the bar looked to be full of fun possibilities.  I opted for their grilled cheese, which came with fries and a cup of their soup of the day (black bean), and a side of garlic spinach.  The grilled cheese was thick sliced texas toast, buttery and crispy, with three cheeses, I forget which they were but damn was it good.  Blackbean soup was a perfect dipping companion, with a few of what looked like handmade tortilla chips.  The spinach was garlicky, just like I like it, although I think it was a little thicker than I'd have preferred, if that makes sense.

THE SERVICE:
Down to earth, responsive (for the most part), and friendly.  Their laid-back demeanor matches the ambiance, without coming off as lazy or indignant.

THE PRICING:
Surprisingly reasonable.  I was expecting a bigger bill, paying for both of us since it was my friend's bday, that made things extra sweet.  I can definitely say that it factors into any future visit I'll be making there because I know I can explore the menu and enjoy something I know will be deliciously dope for less than other nearby spots.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Check it out for sure, great for a laid back dinner, it's just pretty small and inconspicuous, so be ready for a comfortable, humble experience that won't hurt your wallet and reward your tastebuds generously.