Leighann "Like Rimes, if that helps you" F.'s Profile

Old-school, home-cooked Italian fare at its best, Sophia's is a neighborhood spot run by friendly neighborhood people where you'll feel immediately welcome and subsequently sated.

I've eaten at Sophia's (named after the daughter of the owners, Sal & Carlene) a few times with my family and have enjoyed the jovial service, the delicious food and the nice, casual atmosphere. On the menu you'll find classic favorites such as Chicken Francaise, Lasagna, Braciola and Linguini with Clam Sauce...all hearty, perfectly seasoned and exactly what you'd expect from a family restaurant.

One of the best things about Sophia's is its seemingly split personality. Upon entrance, Sophia's is a local pizza joint, serving up brick oven pies and slices that rival NJ's best (yes, I am talking to you, Saw Mill), where you can pick up or eat in. Take out is available for a family of four or a party of forty (ordered in advance, obviously), as they aslo do catering. If you're in the mood for more than just a casual slice, head to the back where you'll find a quaint, warmly decorated bistro. It actually reminds me a few restaurants in NYC, where pizza or more casual food is served up front, with a nice dining area in the back. The prices are fair, especially when you consider the portion size: a $17 plate of Chicken Francaise is plenty for dinner and lunch the following day.

Favorites you ask? Sal makes absolutely the best Chicken Francaise I have ever had, so you'll usually find me ordering that dish. I've also had the Linguini with White Clam Sauce (loaded with clams and garlic) and the Penna Vodka is my sister's favorite.

Prior to this year, I could count on one hand (okay, two fingers) how many times I set foot in Bay Ridge. I'm not knocking the neigh, but it's pretty far from my hood and most of my buddies bunk up in other parts of the borough. But recently, I've found myself hoofing it to the near-end of the R and flouncing down Fifth Avenue toward a brand-new spot that's a solid mix of hip lounge mingling, hot dinner date, legit foodie-approved fare and family-owned hospitality.

I've eaten, drinken (yes, I made that up...sure, you can use it, too) and made merry at Twenty3 several times since its opening, and have left full and feeling tipsy each and every time. Which leaves me with a substantial list of items I've tried from the menu. Small plates: crabcakes, mussels, meatballs, glazed ribs, mac and cheese, kobe sliders, lamb skewers, chicken empanadas and the tots. Salad: 23 Chop'd. Mains: Filet Mignon, Duck Two Ways and the Cod. Sides: garlic mashed, maple-glazed sprouts. Chef Fernando Lietes is creative without being fussy, bringing together clean presentation and flavors that make every bite enjoyable. My favorites from the above list are the duck, the filet (prepared exactly to order and succulently juicy), the mac and cheese and the maple-glazed sprouts.

To wash it all down, Twenty3's full bar boasts a cocktail list that's a little heavy on the vodka for my taste, but offers a plethora of ingredients and flavors to please even the pickiest of palettes. Notice should be made of their extensive champagne menu and sleek lounge, complete with a very decently priced bottle service list and some high-energy DJ-curated tunes as a sizzling background soundtrack.

Bringing it all together is the chic, cohesive interior design that separates the bar and lounge area from the main dining room. While the elements are all well-coordinated, there is a distinct feel between the more glamorous, shiny bar area and the warm, inviting dining room.

Take advantage of their may nightly specials ($5 shots, half-price cocktails), including a late-night happy hour from 12am-2pm. Good thing the trains run all night!

Over the summer, one bright and sunny afternoon, I took a nap. This would be a totally ordinary and rather boring story except for one small, teensy detail:

I was getting a filling by D. Urtula at Emagen Dental.

Actually, make that two fillings. There I was, sitting in the dentist's chair, the recliner of hell to most people, watching The Bird Cage on a TV screen suspended just above my head, while Dr. Urtula and his hygienist Chang worked on my chompers, when suddenly I realized I'd dozed off. This is how things work at Emagen. This is why you should make an appointment no where else, ever again, with any other dentist on the planet.

Over the course of my many visits to Emagen, I've interacted with Jeff and Jessica (the lovely and accommodating office managers), Dr. Urtula and Chang (fillings, cleanings and molds for retainers), leaving me with a confident impression that everyone in this office really cares about each and every patient. Jeff has gone above and beyond in so many ways, while Jessica has been super communicative and following up with me regarding appointment times and scheduling. Each visit, I really look forward to chatting with Chang, who seems to remember every detail of our conversations while making each step of the procedure clear and continually checking in on my comfort levels.

Dr. Urtula's bedside manner and ability to explain even the most complicated of dental work in way that those of us without medical training can understand, is refreshing and reassuring. There will be no unnecessary procedures, no surprised on bill, no scolding about the current state of your teeth and no pain. The last part is crucial. I felt absolutely nothing during my fillings, so much so that I dozed off in the middle of the drilling.

Is it any wonder why I now look forward to going to the dentist?

I could almost move to Williamsburg for a place like Maison Premiere.  Almost. Just to sit at that bar, among the charmingly distressed decor and piles of fresh oysters, downing craft beers such as Pretty Things from a mason jar, conversing with fellow patrons and staff over well-crafted cocktails for hours on end as the bar fills up with neighborhood chums and dwellers from other boroughs.

Here, you'll find a fine selection of oysters from all over, offered at just a $1 a piece during happy hour. You'll also find a substantial beer list and a bevy of proper cocktails, served up by nice and knowledgeable staff members in a cozy atmosphere that lacks the pretension that can usually accompany these things when amassed together under one roof.

Visit. Sit at the front bar. Eat oysters. Drink to your heart's content. Be utterly charmed.

Giving credit where credit is due, Bellissimo is an immaculate salon with friendly technicians, a convenient location and a nearly nil wait time on any given day for a manicure. I've been here several times, walking away with a gorgeous manicure for $12, a price I'm more than willing to pay when in this neighborhood, even though my local salon charges only $8.

My most recent visit, however, was a wee bit disappointing. Walking in on a weekday around 4pm, there were 2-3 other customers in various stages of manicures and pedicures. I proceeded to choose my polish--in this case, a set of polishes to be painted in a gradient, lightest on the pinkie and darkest on the thumb. I've had this style several times in various salons and loved it! With Bellissimo's endless, updated and VAST polish selection, I was able to come up with a really pretty set.

As I sat down. I explained my idea to the technicians and she said she would probably have to charge me extra because, although it's the same amount of polish, it would take longer to do. I said that I thought that was kind of silly, because I've never been charged extra elsewhere, not to mention the fact that they were not exactly busy. The manager came over and told me that this was considered "a design" and that the extra charge would be $10. I thanked them both, left the salon and proceeded to go to my regular place in Queens, where they happily obliged my request for the regular price.

I love this salon, but don't appreciate the price gouging associated with a simple request. $10 for an extra minute or two added onto a regular service? It's a really easy way to lose what was a loyal customer.

You know when people say, "When you know, you just know?" Typically in reference to finding "the one," it's a look, a feeling or a single happening that fortifies that sentiment and forever encapsulates said person as that special someone.

From one Sunday Brunch, one specific meal, one sublime pig-out session with not one but TWO lovely ladies, I'd made I "just know" that M Wells is that special restaurant. Perfect in every way, only one visit and love is already in the mix. In love with the casual, sweet service. In love with the decor. Head over heels for every single bite I took and every single sip I savored.

Behold, the meal I shared with Jenn C and Lizz K:

Oysters with Coffee Zabiglione: a special for the day, imagine the richness of coffee cream sweetness mingling with briny, chilly oysters. A pairing that sounds odd but makes perfect sense in your mouth.

Poached Eggs & Hash: Yes, as good as everyone says, perfectly cooked egg, crispy asapargus and fluffy light potatoes and impossibly thick chunks of bacon.

Escargot & Bone Marrow: a match made in heaven, there was no chewy texture to speak of and the marrow was salted and seasoned perfectly.

Cuban Sandwich: at a Canadian diner? Hell yes. Soft bread with just a slight crisp to the crust, ideal construction with the pickles, ham and mustard.

Green Salad: of all the decadence, what is this doing in here? The simple yet flavorful salad has a place with bits of mint and basil, tossed with buttermilk dressing.

Doughnut: even if you just get one to get your belly ready for the impending feast, this is not to be missed. It's cake-like and moist, with a slight yeast taste that make it almost like easting a lighter, sweeter version of a soft pretzel.

Maple Pie: Complete and utter satisfaction after a savory meal. Here is a version of pecan pie, minus the pecans, with a consistency reminiscent of custard with a thick, egg texture and a flaky crust.

This was an excellent amount of food for three people. We finished nearly everything, with  just a small bite of the sandwich lingering. We were sated, but certainly not stuffed. And I can't wait to go back and try everything else on the entire menu, including all of their very legit cocktails.

Lazy Sundaes is the quintessential, small-town, neighborhood ice cream parlor, complete with all of the adorable attributes that make a sweet shop so wonderful:

-Friendly and attentive high school kids working Summer jobs
-Cute decor, with outdoor seating
-A menu of cones, sundaes, milkshakes and root beer floats
-Customers base of locals and weekenders alike
-Tons of toppings
-Oodles of flavors
-Affordable prices

We could walk here from our weekend rental house, procure a delicious cool-down treat and enjoy it on our stroll back. If only there were more ice cream shops like this around!

A local to set the bar for all other locals, this divey, worn, dark little bar beckons you in from the street with sense of belonging and welcome for the the casual drinker. Settle yourself on a stool or in a cozy little booth and enjoy cheap beer and an easy environment for low conversation.

Skeptics can test drive this dive for little dough: happy hour till 9pm places any tap beer or shot in your hand for a mere $3. Get nice and saucy in preparation for a night out or make this your mainstay for the duration of the evening.

A gorgeous gateway to Cape Cod, the Sagamore Bridge is lined with beautiful views and ease of passage to a weekend gateway.

There is nothing to think about. I like strong coffee and they serve it. I don't need my hand held through my order, though some general friendliness and courtesy from the employees wouldn't kill them.

Seating. Yes.
Pastries. Yes.
Convenient location. Yes.

Do I come here often? No, but in Union Square it's a nice option for coffee over Starbucks, a simple meeting location, a temporary office or just respite from the day with a book and a some caffeine.