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1422 Dixwell Ave
Hamden, CT 06514
(203) 248-2037

Valentino Tailors  

Category: Sewing & Alterations

5.0 star rating
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
My father is old school. He has suits that are at least 50 years old. He keeps them immaculate. Since he has been getting older he has needed some of the adjusted. He will go no where else except to Enzo.

I love the respect that he treats my father with and the patience that he shows towards him. In addition to that his work is second to none. He is always clear about the price and the risk involved in each alteration. He is also able to get things done within a minute's notice.  I recommend Valentino's (and only Valentino's) to anyone who is looking for a tailor.

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55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000

California Academy of Sciences NightLife  

Categories: Nightlife, Museums

4.0 star rating
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Science Night Life is off the hook! I love science by itself yet add drink, food, DJs and live music to the mix and you have the next level of engagement.

As a science museum in and of itself its about as good as it gets. The marina in the basement with octupai, albino alligator, jellyfish, dark light..fresh. The bio dome/room/tropical rain forest with several levels is incredible. The planetarium. That alone could've kept me there for hours.

It is the element of making it a party which throws it over the top. There has recently been talk about are science museums failing the american public. Well, this one should have no problem because they have thought outside of the box. If you are in San Francisco make it your business to make this gathering.

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900 Chapel St
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 787-9108

Starbucks  

Category: Coffee & Tea

4.0 star rating
Update - 12/26/2010 22 Check-ins Here
Never thought I would remix a review yet I have to for this particular Starbucks. They changed managers and got some new staff in there. Those two elements transformed the whole environment.

The manager is on point. She is always in motion. I see her do ever task that is required from her staff. This is not "micro-managing". Her staff work diligently throughout their shift. They know their customers by name, likes and dislikes.

Its in the midst of downtown and they are ground zero for every odd person in the city. Despite having a "mixed crowd" the staff keeps the atmosphere there one of relaxation with delight.

Listed in: Right Foods

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  • 2.0 star rating
    12/18/2009 First to Review

    I stop by Starbucks every once and a while to cop that chai tea if I don't make time to make my own.  Dunkin Doughnuts in New Haven are kosher yet they ain't that soy milk (come on D&D everyone has AT LEAST that option).  This particular Starbucks is near my job so it gets my shine.

    They need to step their game all the way live.  First off, not that I eat any of those deserts, yet the display joint is ALWAYS empty...looking like they just got raided.  Secondly, the new old dude in there that looks like an average 60 year old, just lost my office job, need to pay the mortgage white dude is TOO SLOW for cafe work.  Plus he just keeps messing up.  I saw him mess up on like 2 people in line before me.  He does this constantly.  Finally, I know the whole foam element of making a drink yet if I order a large chai I don't want 1/2 of it foam.  Why the funk would you even THINK that I would want to have 1/2 of it foam??!!!  If I ordered a small with the foam it would've been like a shot.  

    Ironically they really don't have to change anything because they get business by virtue of the fact that they are in downtown New Haven right on the bus route...go figure.

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97 Orange St
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 773-1144

Woodland Coffee & Tea  

Category: Coffee & Tea

4.0 star rating
10/20/2010 8 Check-ins Here
I came from an era where there were a whole bunch of more locally owned shops round town. After gentrification started settling in all of the small businesses from clothing stores to bookstores started closing. Post-Starbucks a few unique coffee shops opened yet most of them came off as pretentious. I stumbled into this spot the other day and I was surprised that I was liking it quite a bit.

I don't drink coffee yet I love tea. I especially like Chai. Starbucks must have gotten an internal memo because their chai is now tasting just like milk and tea with no spices. Chai is supposed to have a nice spicy kick. The chai here has it and price-wise it is about the same as Starbucks. Their atmosphere is nice, its kinda in a cut, they got some good vegan/vegetarian treats plus they got the free wifi. Looks like I'm going to be logging in some hours here.

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520 Capitol Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 345-8903

Shandal's Vegetarian Cafe  

Category: Vegetarian

4.0 star rating
7/5/2010 1 photo
Listen.  Before a whole bunch of self righteous hippie vegans started trying to 'convert' people there were already a group of people in tune with the needs of the people.   People who were influenced by the Rastafarian I-tal tradition already were laying it down in terms of healthy eating in the hood.  Shandal's is one of those spots.  The service that you get is going to be as warm as the food.  If there is such as thing as 'fast food' healthy fare this is it and its good.  You will have many caribbean influenced dishes with meat substitutes as well as many meals of various veggies, rice and beans.  You can't go wrong in this spot.  Check it out.

Listed in: Right Foods

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379 Whalley Ave
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 787-1055

Edge of the Woods  

Categories: Health Markets, Caterers, Grocery

4.0 star rating
3/11/2010 4 Check-ins Here
The key is knowing what you are going in for at Edge of the Woods.  As a moderately sized natural food store it gets the thumbs up.  It's natural herb products, vitamins, toiletries, etc upstairs also gets a salute from me.  Being kinda 1/2 way in the hood and an old Jewish neighborhood in New Haven a nice mix of people come through.  On any given day I'll bump into an orthodox jew, a rasta, a hebrew israelite, a muslim, or super hippie.  This allows for a place where information about events relating to wholistic health gets exchanged.

Deserts are beyond reproach!  They have the best vegan treats in town.  You will get fat.  The big strike against the place is that their other food in the restaurant portion of the place sucks.  First off, some of these combinations that they come up are hideous.  Instead of being 'creative' all of the time search world cuisines and copy them.  Secondly, I mean really, no seasoning?  The key about being a vegetarian or vegan is the ancient art of SEASONING.  And to top it off the food is overpriced.  

Yet again, as an oasis in the desert of the urban landscape, Edge of the Woods performs its function well.  It is well established and has been rooted in the community for decades, well before the current Green jocking going on.  Stop by.

Listed in: Right Foods

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1068 Chapel St
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 624-3361

Starbucks Coffee Co  

Category: Coffee & Tea

4.0 star rating
12/29/2009
Ya have your morning coffee spots and evening coffee spots.  I know of few good morning ones yet after this morning this may be that spot.

The two baristas actually convinced me that they were happy to be there at the insanely early hours of the morning..and I believed them.  

And my chai was made JUST RIGHT.  Good stuff.

Listed in: Right Foods

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68 Howe St
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 777-9760

Miya's Sushi  

Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese

5.0 star rating
12/23/2009
This is on the cusp of what some of us call in New Haven "the Fertile Crescent" starting on Chapel and swinging around into Howe St.  So many good Eastern eats.  

Miya is not traditional Sushi.

Get that out of your mental.  Check their website though and see the history to understand that it is still rooted in traditional sushi.  It is not no americanized fusion shiz though.  It is innovation within the tradition and that's what makes it all of that.  

As a vegetarian or vegan you are going to have your taste buds explode.  The variety is endless.  Their miso soups are meals within their self.  The service...how can the wait staff be cool like cool in your would hang out with them while at the same time on top of their game??!

This is also the spot where I go to for sake.  The endless variety, hot and cold.  They even have a bar in a separate section where you can get your night club/bar feel on.  

If you out on that date and you want a nice after movie spot to hit up.  This is the spot.  make an appearance.

Listed in: Right Foods

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85 Howe St
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 562-8444

Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant  

Category: Middle Eastern

4.0 star rating
12/4/2009 3 Check-ins Here
I rock a plant-centric diet and sometime I'm out on the town late into the night.  After illing the dance floor and maybe hitting a drink or two I sometimes wanna grab a bite to eat before I hit the bed.  Yet this ain't the city (NYC) so most places are closed.  Those that are open are either the grease pot diners or McDonalds on the highway.  Neither place has the cusine that I need.  Thus enters Mamoun's

They are open 365 days a year.  That's right..they're open on Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, Christmas, etc.  You gotta love 'em.  They have some bangin Falafel sandwiches.  This cracked bulgar weat dish with onions.  Their lentil soups is on point.  And they got more.  Enough veggie goods to keep you guessing and happy.  

I'm good with the cooks/owners whom I have known for years, months and days.  They keep the waitress staff constantly rotating which is normal in a college town yet those who have been consistent there know me and are mad cool.  Again, I like the dark, in the cut, slice of the middle east feel of the place.  Definitely the place to check out if you're in the Elm.

Listed in: Right Foods, After the Sun Falls

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170 Whitney Ave
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 432-5050

Peabody Museum of Natural History  

Categories: Colleges & Universities, Museums

4.0 star rating
12/1/2009
I fux with museums.  Ever since I was a youngin.  Being a sci-fi head it was the closest I ever got to traveling in a time machine.  I have a personal connection with the Peabody.  I got to go to a summer program there when I was like 10.  It was great because we got to go through the secret corridors and hidden rooms in the spot.

I love sharing this place with my son.  I mean, what is not to like?  There are DINOSAURS.  There is a good display of the expansive Native Nations of North/South America.  A fresh model of Macchu Pichu.  A small Egyptian exhibit.  

THey have nice displays on natural science dealing with the whole planet from the macro to the micro.  The visiting exhibits are always worth the wait.  There is always something new and popping in this museum.

Listed in: Mental Meccas

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3 Compliments

  • You're Cool

    I love your reviews of the veg spots in CT..     : )

  • You're Funny

    "I am a Black Man. I don't like my food to taste bland."  To the point and… More »

  • Hot Stuff

    I am so excited to try Catch a Healthy Habit! I'm a vegetarian and live in… More »

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4 Lists

Right Foods

My rating of veggie spots and veggie options of…
1.  Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe
This is the spot for Raw…
2.  India Palace Restaurant
When I started to…
3.  I Rasta Pasta
What many don't realize…
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1.  Kush
If you want to make sure…
2.  Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant
I rock a plant-centric…
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"Know Better, Do Better"

Review votes:
28 Useful, 10 Funny, and 21 Cool

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Location

New Haven, CT

Yelping Since

September 2009

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