Jando "Alex" S.'s Profile

Dining at Trattoria L'incontro was not just one of best experiences I've had in Astoria, but certainly one of the finest I've had in all of New York City. Who would've thought to come all the way to Ditmars to enjoy what is arguably the best Italian fare in Queens? Their immense popularity and high Yelp ratings is no coincidence. After many wow-worthy meals here, I can happily say I'm completely on the bandwagon.

I had probably walked by this place over 100 times (no joke) before I realized I was near one of the best (and certainly highest rated) restaurants throughout the borough. It was always dimly lit, quiet from the outside; clearly one of the most unassuming establishments I had come across at the time.

When it was time to celebrate a new milestone, I could think of no other place I wanted to try. There was no point in going the safe route by visiting a place that was a sure thing - being a little adventurous was the right call this time around. Reservations in place, we dressed in our Sunday best and entered the temple of L'incontro. Old school decor, bustling wait staff, and patrons who were all smiles and well behaved.

It was revealed to me long before the waiter would be reciting enough specials for me not to even bother opening the menu. And that he did. I stopped counting after 30 and pondered over my options, enough to where I actually opened the menu for a quick second to see if he had mentioned anything similar. I caved and went for a  pappardelle with a rabbit ragu, two things I seemingly can never get enough of. Appetizers included buffalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto, fried calimari, and a stuffed artichoke.

Everything was simply divine. The artichoke was by far the messiest dish, a slurpable saucey mess that was surprisingly savory. Prosciutto with any kind of cheese is wonderful, but this was amazing. Even the fried calamari, a bar food dish was crispy and bursting with flavor. My pappardelle was superb. The rabbit was like a tasty stew with just enough sauce not to overwhelm the pasta. Just biting into the noodles, it was clear it was freshly made and had an incredible texture that was oh-so-smooth. The spaghetti wrapped in eggplant was also delicious, extremely fresh, and worth ordering again. At the end of the meal, a complimentary birthday dessert of vanilla ice cream dressed in sweet caramel and drizzled in chocolate sitting on a crispy waffle shell was unexpected but definitely sensational.

I've been back several times since and each experience was always as memorable as the first. I've grown fond of the mezza luna, a ravioli dish stuffed with mascarpone with a walnut brandy pesto, which is simple but scrumptious. Most of their risotto is killer, but my favorite is with pears and gorgonzola. Meats will vary due to the specials and all, but I've had some of the most amazing veal ever in these doors. I can also attest for their broiled lemon sole, which was as tasty as it sounds. Need a showstopper? Try the rigatoni with ground veal and pancetta. Now that's good eatin'.

With impeccable service and incredible food, Trattoria L'incontro has earned my badge of honor as one of my favorite places in NYC. Price points may be a bit high for the variety they offer but knowing this ahead of time leaves fewer surprises at the end of the night. It's been too many years since my last visit to Italy to even dare make any comparisons, but I can say this with confidence: I haven't had better in New York just yet.

Truth be told, I've never really liked biscuits. My childhood could be to blame, doughy and flavorless versions were a dime a dozen, I soon understood why honey and butter were required with every helping. Then I had homemade biscuits, the kind that were fluffy and tasted good all on their own, and the various southern varieties that helped ease my scorn tastebuds again. Pine State had a hand in this madness, along with 1,500 extra gooey calories of awesomeness. There is a reason why this place is among the highest rated breakfast joints in Portland. Simply put, no one does biscuits better than Pine State.

For as popular Pine State is, there isn't much seating. Pine State's large open kitchen and robust staff cranking out biscuits only add to the perceived dwarfism of the dining area, which if I didn't know any better was no larger than a regular coffee shop. This also creates another problem: crowds and a wait. Pine State is no stranger to crowds of brunch seeking folks who have wait 45 minutes to an hour just to get seated. Parking is another animal that isn't worth mentioning, but I should note that on a week day, the coast is clear..

Place an order at the front desk and quickly get a seat before someone else does. I am a hash brown man thick and through, but I would give anything for another bite of the Reggie Deluxe (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), a monsterous biscuit concoction of fried chicken and a fried egg, along with bacon & cheese topped with gravy. It's like a fast food chicken biscuit on steroids, crunchy from the fried chicken, fluffy from the biscuit, creamy from the sauce, and savory with the bacon and cheese. It's the one thing on the menu that gets ordered time and time again and might just be PSB's most popular item.

Other biscuit combos need love too, take the Chatfield for instance: it's everything the Reggie is, minus the egg and the gravy and plus lots of apple butter. This biscuit is good, equally as filling, and dare I say somewhat light compared to the Reggie. The Wedgie is another favorite, with fried chicken, fried green tomato, iceburg wedge, and blue cheese dressing. Despite its artery clogging goodness, it may be the one biscuity item that may feel "healthy" with the crispy iceburg lettuce and the juicy fried green tomato. They're not called hash browns here, but the "hash ups" are decent and virtually the same thing. I can vouch for the andouille corndog, which may feel spendy at $3, but is tasty and has a great texture.

Be sure to clean up after yourself since there is no waiter service. Groups should be limited to 4 and no more. Be sure to bring an appetite for four, as the biscuits will surely induce a gastronomical food coma of Pine State proportions.

In a place where money is everything, there are few things left in sin city that are actually free, without consequence. Free casino cocktails are courtesy of losing wages, complimentary rooms are through earned player points, and the pirate show at Treasure Island ... ought to pay it's spectators for being the cheesiest reoccurring show The Fountains of the Bellagio on the other hand, are about as good as free gets.

For those not in the know, these fountains provide a water show of synchronized streams of water are pulsating to a random song two times an hour and four times an hour after 8PM. The best time to watch is at night as the light beams emanating from each stream provide a real spectacle not to be missed.

These fountains don't discriminate. Everyone is allowed to watch. Crowds aren't really regulated and each show features different songs. Each are unique, fun, and beautiful. It has become synonymous with the Bellagio and I would dare venture to say are more popular than some of the live Broadway-like shows throughout the strip.

There are shows all around the world that do something similar, be it in a mall or even at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. But few have a place in my heart like the Fountains of the Bellagio, easily the best outdoor show on the strip.

Like all things NYC, The High Line (THL) is both loved and hated by the very people who frequent it. Initially created over 80 years ago as a project for Manhattan's west side, nearly a century of back and forth debates on it's existence have lead to its current urban renaissance. It is an elevated park in the concrete jungle essentially, one that either impresses or depresses folks depending on which side of the coin they're on. For me THL is much more than it appears, an open space where imagination comes to life and like the city it resides in, has a little something for everyone.

THL is clean, unique, and a great way to pass the time while admiring the many beautiful views of the west side of Manhattan. Every section is unique and is the perfect photo op for anyone with a camera. It is constantly changing and under construction, I can only imagine how wonderful this space will be when it's finally completed.

With its new expansion to West 30th Street (now dubbed "Section 2"), THL is now nearly double its initial size from its 2009 debut. The entire line now encompasses several neighborhoods and roughly 18 blocks of open space above ground. Folks seem to scoff at the idea of walking that length on the ground, yet on THL, it seems effortless.

There are all sorts of reasons why THL is worthy of 5 star praise. It's the perfect spot for a lonely stroll, or a romantic walk; another place to people watch and another perspective in a city filled with skyscrapers. THL is the consummate tourist spot and a local hangout where both can marvel at the creativity of an urban project, while enjoying the view from above.

A little bit of Paris meets New York, does that sound about right?

The gems in the West Village just keep piling up. In every direction are classic establishments and in another are new ones on the rise. The gem shining brightest may just be Minetta Tavern.

Somewhat ironic given Minetta's relatively low profile as it sits on the quiet steet for which it's named after. The building itself could nearly pass for a dive bar, with it's minimal signage and dark exterior. Inside, it's a classic New York scene with an intimate bar, tables draped in white table cloth, and a professionally dressed staff. All this and more, despite having only been open 3 years. The pretension isn't as evident here as it is at similar restaurants, instead they let the food do the talking.

With that in mind, the food is incredible. My favorite starters are their roasted bone marrow with shallot confit served with baguette soldiers ($18). Bone marrow doesn't have to be seasoned well to be enjoyable, it just has to be roasted to a point where it's natural juices take over for that perfect, smooth, and almost creamy bite. And that's exactly what happens here. The oxtail and foie gras terrine ($18) is also quite lovely, it's the perfect appetizer without a heavy start, just good enough to get those taste buds begging for more.

The Pasta Zaza ($17) tastes and feels like a standard pasta dish, with the exception of a perfectly over easy egg on top, to give a nice texture, with an added bonus of the sage and pancetta really coming out flavor wise. The Tavern Steak ($26) is a classic dish, a hearty slab of steak served with a frites, which make for a great meal on any day of the week. But of course, the real super star is their dynamite Black Label Burger ($26).

Sure, the Minetta Burger ($17) is of similar size and quality, but the difference in $9 is solely from the taste alone. The Black Label is a nice sized 6oz patty of dry aged cuts, presumably from sirloin, ground chuck, and other unrevealed beefy meats. Along with the caramelized onions and cooked medium rare, few burgers have given me such pleasure with every bite. It's the kind where it's so juicy and full of flavor, that you don't even want to finish it too quickly, instead choosing to savor every bite There are great burgers all around the city, but Minetta Tavern has upped the standard with it's flawless execution of a world class burger.

It's not absurdly priced, but it's definitely not some place where one just casually goes without blowing some decent coin. Whether it's date night or operation group foodgasm, Minetta Tavern is a fine place to dazzle your taste buds for a special evening

When it comes to arepas, most people are crazy about Caracas (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but I'm nuts for Arepas Cafe. Out of the two places, Arepas Cafe is cheaper, tastier, friendlier, there's never a wait, and it's in Queens. Is it really even worth comparing?

Located on 36th Avenue in Astoria, Arepas Cafe is two short blocks away from the 36th Ave stop along the N/Q line. Like many restaurants in the hood, it's a small to modest sized restaurant. Not exactly suitable for a group party (though it can be done), it probably fits no more than 15-20 people total. Where they lack in size, they make up for in their menu, as most of their arepas pack some big flavor.

My favorite arepa here is La Reina (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), which consists of shredded chicken and avocado mayo, essentially a chicken salad stuffed into a corn arepa. It's delicious, slightly creamy, and incredibly satisfying. A close second would be La Mami (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), an arepa stuffed with Venezuelan roasted pork, avocado, and queso blanco. I could probably eat these two each time and be at peace with life.

Of course it doesn't stop there, as the arepa selection is quite extensive. Try La Reina with a little more queso and avocado and you've got *La Bomba* and it is indeed amazing. La Pelua (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) is shredded beef with cheddar cheese, hearty enough to be considered like a Venezuelan burger. La Pabellon (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) is the arepa version of the country's national dish, consisting of shredded beef, black beans, plantains, with a nice sprinkle of queso blanco. Seafood lovers might like the mixed seafood of the Rompe Colchon or the pseudo exotic baby shark arepa called Cazon (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). I can also vouch for Riccardo's tuna, a nod to the awesome owner, featuring a lovely mix of tuna, avocado, and truffle butter.

And though arepas are their specialty, folks seeking non-sandwich options are sure to find them here. The mini-cachapas (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) are tiny small sweet corn cakes with melted Venezuelan cheese and make for an outstanding starter. All of their entree sized platters, known as pabellons (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), are equally hearty and delicious. Add to that a drink of either the maracuya (passion fruit juice) or the jugo de pabelon con limon (brown sugar lemonade), and you've got a meal fit for a Venezuelan champ.

Every time I find myself at Peter Luger's, it's almost like I've transported back in time. The feel of the interior, the rapport of the wait staff, the non-pretentious menu are probably not far off when this institution began over 125 years ago. Vegetarians are well aware, this is no place for a sad Caesar salad. This place is synonymous with meat - glorious, ribbed, juicy, delicious meat. There are plenty of steakhouses throughout New York, but none more stellar or more classic than Peter Luger.

Reservations are almost a must. Be prepared to wait in their lobby with other reservation holders, as they'll crowd the bar to get liquored up. Strangely I've always had to wait to be seated here and for that I'd never recommend a walk-in, even during their amazing lunch service.

The menu is all about steak and more steak. Sure there's fried fish and lamb chops, but it's all about the porterhouse. Choose a steak (pre-cut) for the # of people in your party and do not have it cooked beyond medium rare. Figure out a couple of sides for the table to share (I recommend the French fried potatoes and creamed spinach or on special occasions, the German fried potatoes), your meal will be complete. The first time I had this, I nearly died from a FUBAR worthy foodgasm. I suddenly understood why people raved like lunatics about the steak, never questioning how this institution managed to last beyond a century. My porterhouse for two ($85) was absurdly tasty, almost unbelievable to a point. The meat was tender, juicy, and the flavor was incredible. The creamed spinach ($9.50) was the perfect complement, creamy as it was described, smooth with every bite. I thought the French fried potatoes ($9.50) were similar to a well seasoned version of home fries, but far more robust. They were delicious and went with the rest of the meal well.

Another item worthy of praise is their top notch burger. For a long time, there was skepticism that the chefs weren't able to cook the burger without somehow botching the patty. Thankfully I've never had this problem, my burger has always been juicy and delicious enough to be one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. At only $8.95 (+$2.00 for cheese and another $2.00 for fries), it's not at all expensive. Sadly it's only available during lunch.

While their credit card policy has remained the same since 1887 (i.e. they don't accept them), what's up with the debit card and/or Peter Luger credit card? They won't take a standard AMEX, Visa, or MC, but they'll take their own brand? Old school as they may be, this almost warrants a demotion in star grade. But alas, their steaks are just too delicious, so much so I could never become a full on vegan/veggie man. Steak lovers shouldn't deprive themselves any longer - whether you're a first time visitors or a seasoned patron, Peter Luger is worth the visit.

Luzzo's is hardly one's typical New York style pizzeria, and that's exactly why I love it. It's a far cry from the hearty NY foldable slice and more akin to the thin Neapolitan variety found in Europe. The place didn't always win me over, service was amiss at times and it was generally a tough sell for groups larger than 4. Over time it seems these issues have been less prevalent and I've been able to enjoy myself here again. As for the pizza, well, it's phenomenally delicious.

It's easy to miss a place like Luzzo's. There is no giant conspicuous signage or an ambiguously cheesy website to promote its works of pizza art. The place is absurdly narrow, which puts into question how they manage to cram any group of people, let alone the tiny tables for some NYU kid's date night. Whoever did their interior design has interesting taste: the random, even partially strange, funky decor? Upside down lamps and chairs? It may double as a wing of a Halloween venue in some scenarios.

People have already noted Luzzo's place among the gods in the NY pizza scene and I for one believe it deserves to be there. There are plenty of pizza joints that mirror each other but how many others are able to execute the coal oven, thin Neapolitan slice as well as they do? Few and far between.

Price wise they're not too crazy, but the pizzas won't be nearly as filling as the nearby alternative. Folks are keen to order the personal sizes (12 inch from $14-18), but the 16 inch pies ($23-26) are the perfect size for sharing. Recommended starters include the patata a modo nostro (potatoes au gratin with mozzarella and ham - awesome), arancini di carne (rice bals with meat ragu), and even the frito napoletano (fried Neapolitan platter). I'd also recommend some of the salads and pastas, but really the pizza steals the show.

First timers ought to try the Bufala ($21), a simple pie consisting of tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, and basil, is among the standouts among their array of quality pizzas. It's hard for me to resist the Martha ($24), a lovely thin crusted pie of mozzarella, prosciutto, truffle pate, basil (though there is no tomato sauce). Finally, the Burtta Ma Buona ($25) is utterly ridiculous pie containing tomato sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, sausage, olives, and basil, and is a delicious every time.

Whenever I find myself in the East Village looking for a sit down pizzeria with folks as eager as I to tear up some serious pies, Luzzo's answers the call almost every time. I often will call ahead of time to find out the wait time and if it exceeds more than an hour, I'm placing an order to go.

Almost 3 years ago during one of Manhattan's miserable rainy days, I found myself sprinting around Alphabet City looking for cover and ducked into Poco. I opted for a glass of wine and sat at the bar to pass the time while the outside monsoon gave the city a proper washing. A little curiosity and a lot of hunger got me to bite the bullet and order a few of the tapas on their then skeletal menu, as Poco was still in it's infancy. What soon followed became a solo dining experience that was nothing less than outstanding.

The house meatballs (albondigas) were seasoned just right and soft, almost like pillows of meat that melted in my mouth. I also sampled their scallops, seared to perfection, and were delicious with every bite. My main course would end up being a skirt steak stuffed with manchego cheese, wrapped in "lollipop" form. It wasn't the most appetizing from the initial presentation, but was enjoyable and certainly worth ordering again.

That night was a quiet one. Aside from a handful of patrons, the place was practically empty. The manager also manning the bar and aside from offering what would be some killer recommendations was explaining how tough business was, noting how small the place is, and how few seats are filled each night. We agreed that "poco a poco" (little by little), the place would soon find itself running instead of crawling. My, how times have changed.

It's been a few visits since, I can easily declare Poco as one of the best places in the East Village / Alphabet City. Their tapas are money, however, their brunch service might be their money maker as it has become one of my favorites in the city. While the AYCD (all you can drink) special seems to be gone, $22-24 per brunch item with 3 cocktails isn't the worst deal in the world, especially when the food is stellar (even the complimentary mini carrot muffins are delicious). One can't go wrong with either of their benedict dishes, be it the florentine, salmon, lobster, crab cakes, or the Poco benedict, as all are equally fabulous. The show stopper is of course, the infamous lobster mac and cheese. A little bit of char, panko crumbs, and a cheesy blend of cheese with some incredible lobsters is nothing short of foodgasmic. If there was one dish to get, this might just be it.

Great for groups, even better for dates, and a fun time for any occasion, Poco has all the right ingredients for a sure thing in the hood. In a relatively short time, Chopped Champion Abe Lopez's simple but scintillating menu has this place going from Poco to Mucho.

Is there a better dessert bakery in Manhattan than Two Little Red Hens (TLRH)? If there is, it'd be six stars because Two Little Red Hens is about as good as they come. The magic duo of sugar and butter are perfectly executed here, resulting in sweetest baked concoctions that would bring smiles to even the saddest faces.

Cupcake crazies are willing to travel anywhere, even the Upper East Side, which seems like an unlikely destination for this little shop. Their crazy awesome Yelp ratings with all things considering, makes their fanfare that much more impressive.

Hype or not, the red velvet cupcakes are definitely worth it. The smooth, yet tart cream cheese frosting met with the soft, moist red cake is an epiphany waiting to happen for any non-dessert person. Equally sensational are the carrot cupcakes, which are just as creamy and delightful. Their specialty filled cakes like the key lime or the Brooklyn blackout are also fantastic. If the large sized cupcake isn't enough, consider the regular cake sized version, also available in the same delicious flavors.

These treats can come at a price of course. $1.75 is enough for a mini cupcakes and $3-4 are the pricetag for regular sized ones. Specialty cakes are as spendy as $45 for an 8 inch cake and customized cakes are anywhere from $36-500. While none of this stuff comes cheap, the quality of these cakes are top notch. Two Little Red Hens gets two big thumbs up and 5 stars from yours truly.