Matthew P.'s Profile

3 stars is just about right. The fish frys are very good, although I didn't like their chili sauce...it was more like relish, but there were a lot of regular customers ordering it so ymmv. Had a fish fry with cocktail sauce and tartar that was very good. The staff here just yell the food back to the kitchen help and they are always getting it screwed up or miscommunicated...comical, maybe that is part of the charm? I also had a hot dog and the sauce is sort of bland...I prefer hot dog sauce with a lot more flavor and kick. They also had carrot cake and cheesecake available...figured they had to be great...the carrot cake was a little dry. Go eat fish frys, figure out what you like on them and you will be good to go.

Add Staples to the fail list. I have always considered them to be the best of the worst, but that is no longer the case.

I needed a laptop as my Toshiba POS that I had for two years bit the dust. Nothing fancy, just something to do email, internet and some light processing. Staples had an Acer that was $299 and the warranty for 2 years was $60 extra, so for $360 i had a guaranteed computer that is workable for 3 years...if I wanted to get a new one, I could let the kids play with it. Well, whenever I have a problem with a computer, I can bring it into Staples and they either fix it on site or send it off and call me when it is ready. But, as it turns out, the warranty process is different for Acer computers than every other machine I have ever purchased...no mention of that at the time of purchase! So I bring the computer in and the guy gives me a number (the wrong number as it turns out) and tells me that Acer will send me a box (wrong) and I wait on hold for 30 minutes and get disconnected. Then I call again and get disconnected again. Then I call the Staples store and the manager gives me the right number...I tell him that I wouldn't have bought the computer if I knew they weren't going to handle the repair and expressed my displeasure and his response was "sorry about that".
Then I call the Acer number and get disconnected. Then I create a ticket online and get an email of where to send my laptop to in Texas. No mention of how the shipping will get paid for.
If Staples sells a warranty, they should be very upfront about it being different than every other warranty I have had in the past...I have purchased a lot of computers for friends, myself and organizations, but I will not be shopping there again.
Total Customer Service Failure on the part of Staples.

My pistachio traveling friend just informed me that Happy Clown is no longer carrying Pistachio Ice Cream, at least for the rest of the season. I thought she was going to cry. Businesses should not make these types of decisions without some forewarning to their customers...it can be traumatic. One less reason to go there.

Very cute place right on the Hudson River in Stuyvesant. Across the street is the Hudson River and River View Park. A walk down the tracks and there is a pretty beach, some campsites, and a sand bar (where dogs are allowed). But back to the cafe. Cute coffee-house type place with indoor and outdoor seating. Ordered take out and they gave us one sandwich that was not what we ordered, but the food was good nonetheless. Will definitely be back to get sandwiches or breakfast and hang out at the beach.

Had our daughter's 7th birthday party here today. Great venue and the kids shows are the perfect length for introducing children to live performances. Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch and cake in the back. Adults and kids all had a great time and we will definitely being going back for future performances.

First visit and Elaine was very supportive and informative about our pet experience. She is a great vet and we are looking forward to our life with a happy healthy dog.

Attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today. Market Cafe featuring Strongtree Coffee ( http://www.strongtreec.../ ), vegetables from the Farm at Millers Crossing ( http://farmatmillerscr.../ ), herbs and fresh flowers from Thyme in the Country ( http://www.thymeinthec.../ ), and cheeses, breads, and baked goods. The Market is on the corner of Elm Street and Main Street in the parking lot of the Albert Tripp Nutrition Center and is open on Sundays from 10am-1pm.

Stopped into this new ecclectic vintage shop in Philmont today. The merchandising is very nice and the price is right on lots of items. Looking forward to seeing Mix on Main evolve and spearhead the retail movement on Main Street.

I can't get the euphoria this coffee gave me out of my head.

Went to the newly opened Coyote Flaco today for lunch. I had heard some mixed reviews, mostly negative from others. Let me preface by saying that I miss the bar CF replaced, because it always had a pool table and there aren't a lot of pool tables left in the area. 2nd - this place is no high-end place, so comparing it to the likes of Mexican Radio in Hudson or Xicohtencatl in Great Barrington is missing the point. This place is more like a chain Mexican place.
But the things I like...complimentary chips and salsa (I stopped going to a place in NCal when they stopped serving chips and salsa)...I am not paying $3.50 for a basket of tortillas and some salsa...I just won't.
I had seafood fajitas that were good...not great just ok to good.
I would go back, but I am saddened to say that nothing left me yearning for more. I guess I can get my burrito fix at the Main Street Public House in Philmont and splurge for the occasional MexRad meal.