Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Harlem
Categories:
Chinese,
Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Harlem
Categories:
Barbeque,
American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Harlem
Categories:
Barbeque,
Caribbean,
Southern
Neighborhood: Harlem
Categories:
Cuban,
Latin American
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category:
Mexican
Neighborhood: Harlem
Categories:
Sandwiches,
Diners,
Caribbean
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category:
Jazz & Blues
Neighborhood: Harlem
"Raisins are nothing more than humilated grapes!"
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Review votes:
231 Useful, 116 Funny, and 206 Cool
New York, NY
Yelping SinceJanuary 2007
Find Me InWest Harlem
When I'm Not Yelping...i'm racking titles on Netflix!
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadDrown
My First ConcertWyclef Jean
My Favorite MovieHeat
My Last Meal On EarthBacon Cheeseburger and Fries from Big Nick's
Current CrushKim Brown
Although I'm sure the menu is still finalizing ARC(Astor Row Cafe) already features some delicious sandwiches featuring some of the tastiest and leanest Iberian Prosciutto this side of the continent. Manny will no doubt brag to you about the fact that the specialty ham is as good and healthy as eating salmon. He takes exceptional pride in putting together your desired sandwich. The sandwiches come in a multi-grain bun or pita. Whatever you choose to cloth your prosciutto in it will taste nothing short of amazing. A light spring salad serves as your side dish. I chose the 'Jamon Iberico de Bellota' sandwich on a bun. Bobi went with the 'Paleta Serrano' on a pita and requested some fresh mozzarella to be added.
Seeing as I was riding the tail end of a bad cold I decided to have some honey ginger tea with my sandwich. I warn you, though, to prepare yourself for the mule's kick you will experience when you sip on this hot beverage. It tastes as if some fresh ginger root was just chopped up for you and set to stew in a slow cooker for days. By the time I left, my throat was clearer and I was breathing better. Read into it what you want. Bobi had a cappuccino which I sampled and I though it was one of the best I've had in a very long time.
Having licked my fingers clean of whatever flavor had been left behind from my sandwich I decided to try something sweet. There were an assortment of mini cupcakes, cookies, and muffins on display. Nothing stood out to me so I opted for a safe choice and asked for the blueberry muffin. Having developed a bit of rapport with Manny he looked at me intently as if parsing the words of my request to which he shook his head in disapproval. "No", he said. To which I decried "What do you mean 'No'?" "I have something much better for you", he says. He then reached for a small nondescript, rectangle-shaped box out of which he pulled out a wrapped loaf of some kind. After he unwrapped it, he cut a thick slice of this mystery loaf and set it to warm in the toaster oven. He walked away and proceeded to charm the next wave of patrons who walked in amazed at the fact that this cafe apparently sprouted out of nowhere. 8 minutes later he transferred the now warmed slice of 'something' to a plate in front of me with 2 forks with out ne'er an explanation of what I was about to taste. Somehow we both knew this was a taste-first-and-describe-later situation. So I sliced into it with for the first morsel. All sorts of synapses fired off in my brain and my tongue in response. At first it tasted like warm banana bread but less sweet and richer in texture. I looked at him for some sort of descriptor as to what I was ingesting. "Yellow Plantain Loaf Cake" he simply says and walks away. I was dumbfounded. Who in their right mind decided to make a loaf of yellow plantain cake? He said he'd tell me but that would require him killing me immediately after divulging that secret. I told him I'd back to him on that request.
I must admit I fell in love with this café. The interior design is fresh and inviting, but I was mostly struck by the warm and humorous demeanor of Manny...and Rose who at one point was dueling him for who can create the best milk art on top of a cup of cappuccino. That was cute. In my opinion their personalities are the greatest draws of this new establishment. They're both very welcoming. Judging by the droves of people who not only walked in but sat down to eat & sip some coffee, I can tell this place is going to grow on the neighborhood (both old and & new) and set down some deep roots.I surely want to be around to see them succeed.
Note:My bill for 2 sandwiches, one cappucino, and one honey ginger tea came out to $26 which was more than fair. Manny told me the yellow plantain cake was on the house for which I was grateful.