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NYC | Manhattan: West Side
The Wild Wild West of Manhattan: The west side of the city has its gems and it has its wild cards. This list is for all of the places worth considering (and not) on the west side.
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L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando Buried deep inside Chelsea Market, The Green Table is a tiny little eatery specializing in all things sustainable and organic. I was a foodiot for a long time when it came to "clean" food since I figured anything edible was game regardless of where it came from, how it was prepared, and the impact it has on our environment. The Green Table didn't entirely change my ignorant ways (but going vegan did), it did leave an lasting impression. An impression that ultimately contributed to my perspective that some of the best food, is fresh and free of chemicals. And good food it was, albeit a tad pricey, but certainly worth sampling their seasonal menu. I hold no reservation in saying I've had quite possibly the greatest grilled cheese sandwich of my life here, a hearty multigrain sammy stuffed with apple chutney, and a combination of raw cheddar and gruyere that would spoil any sandwich lover. The mac and cheese lacked some of the creaminess I'm used to, but with it's combination of various cheeses (cheddar, colby, parmesan, goat) and baked herb crumbs made for a wonderful crunchy yet cheesy texture. Another winner is the chicken pot pie with a crispy top layer and ultimately savory all around. Bad dishes are hard to come by here, but I suppose I've been lucky each time as almost every dish I've tried has been fantastic. Just beware, since the menu changes so often, it's very possible to miss a raveworthy dish. The Green Table is not a place to bring a party. Tables are limited as is the space. Groups of four and no more are recommended, or even the occasional casual date. Service is wonderful typically, even when the place is totally packed during lunch or dinner. And while organic food is rarely ever cheap, your tastebuds will thank you even if your wallet doesn't. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando The largest sports bar in New York might just be here at Stout in Midtown. If not the largest sports bar, certainly the largest Irish one complete with just about everything a bar could ask for: high ceilings, multiple floors, international beer taps, over thirty TVs, darts, and even karaoke. In an area where neighborhood bars are hard to come by, Stout delivers with it's endless options and impressive space. Group events are almost never a problem here, so as long as seating isn't required. The lounge area (downstairs and to the right) is the perfect place to mix and mingle over a pint. A couple of couches, a few dartboards, and a personal bar make for a ideal spot without any obligations. If seating is required however, I'm told reservations for 25 or more require clearance from a manager and it's like pre-fixe options or catering may be options for those who require those sort of things. The main floor seems to be way more rowdier than the basement. The perched floor above is usually reserved on busy nights as is the separate dining area. Downstairs is another dining area that doubles as a karaoke spot on the weekends. My favorite area is lounge area, easily the most laid back spot in the entire bar. For bar food standards, the food is solid. Prices aren't too crazy for midtown, but they're not exactly a deal either. It's certainly inexpensive compared to it's next door brother Feile (http://www.yelp.com/biz/feile-new-york), but not quite as intimate. I've had stellar results with their spinach artichoke dip ($10) and the large reuben pizza ($15). Virtually everything else (burgers, anything seafood, even their Irish selection) has been mediocre. This also happens to be the home for the University of Texas alumni. Coming here for the Red River Rivalry is sick, I've never seen a college alumni venue more stacked than this one. Usually Stout is really good about game audio for major sporting events (NBA Finals, March Madness, Superbowl, etc.) but usually plays Top 40 music when it's a slow night. Cheer loud enough and they might just switch it to game audio if the manager sees fit. And while the place is normally very clean, one thing that has been consistently nasty has been the men's bathroom. There are no paper towels ever available and the wall mounted hand dryers just don't cut it. Clogged toilets, faulty sinkage, and a putrid smell of urine keeps me from ever giving this place a 5 star. Once they hire an attendant or at the very least stock the bathroom with paper towels (and maybe have some really awesome happy hour specials), will also be the moment in which I anoint Stout the best sports bar in Manhattan. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando I had held a surprise birthday party here and the staff was more than willing to help make it the most perfect evening as possible. The manager on duty, Ruth was fantastic in assisting with me and "playing along" with my plan to surprise a special someone. They had help me plan everything from the room to even rehearsing my skit. Aside from that, they were excellent hosts accommodating to my every need. The food was fantastic, I highly recommend the Nova Scotia Salmon with rosti potatoes (looks like hash browns!) and the fusilli with rose and garlic sauce. The wine selection is equally impressive as well, and quite reasonable in price. Out of the many appetizers, wine bottles and food we had ordered. The total only came out to $300 for over 15 people. I can't recommend them highly enough for a job well done and a beautiful restaurant with great food. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando For Food Network groupies, NY1 lunchgoers, and hungry people alike, Chelsea Market is definitely the place to be. It's the ultimate food court, with an endless variety of cuisines, restaurants, eateries, and countless foodgasmic aromas circulating the hallways. The market is beautiful and the building itself is a unique architectural wonder. Without a doubt, Chelsea Market is one of my favorite places to be and is one of the major reasons why I believe Chelsea is one of the finest neighborhoods in Manhattan. I at one time wanted to work in this building, lunch would've been an adventure almost every day. The prices at a lot of these places are Chelsea friendly, which means they're on par with most uppity areas of Manhattan, finding a lunch special is not always easy. But to be fair, it's not every day I get to choose between the sustainable works of The Green Table (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-green-table-new-york-2) or the sushi scintillation of Morimoto (http://www.yelp.com/biz/morimoto-new-york) either. I could easily wake up every day to the smells of Amy's Bread (http://www.yelp.com/biz/amys-bread-new-york-4) or the Fat Witch Bakery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-witch-bakery-new-york), it'd be hard to walk by without feening for some baked goodies. I'm still struggling to understand the comparisons of the Ferry Buliding in SF's Embaracadero district. There are also mentions of other big city marketplaces, but I almost feel it's apples and oranges here. When it comes to the Ferry Building, if Chelsea Market were bigger and situated along the water in Chelsea Piers, then perhaps I could relate the two. Otherwise, CM feels smaller, and is significantly less touristy. And dare I say it - the food choices are way better here. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando So what do you get when you renovate garage with a grungy brick building? Why you get Chelsea Grill of course. Its interesting how the front area of the place (during hot summers) is a big garage door that can literally be lifted up to welcome some outside dining. The food has been stellar but simple and hence nothing fancy. My burger was presented quite well, I suppose it chimes with the place's overall theme. The night time ambiance suggests its a nice place for a relaxed date or a place to meet for some drinks as they have a full service bar. Service has always been friendly and the prices are reasonable to make this neighborhood joint a frequent destination. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando Living in the city on the biggest budget is lot easier than people think, especially with great places like the Chelsea Recreation Center. The City's funding for recreation centers span all around the 5 boroughs, but none are as nice, spacious, or as new (2005) as this particular location. As what I dub the best of all locations, this 30 million dollar project features 6 floors, clean interior, friendly staff, and updated equipment. Floor 1A: Recreation - Want to show the kids coming here after school who's boss on the pool table? Show your stuff in billiards, table tennis, foosball (broken table at times), and even board games like chess and checkers. Floor 1B/2A: The Swimming Pool - The olympic sized pool is complete with a scoreboard, six lanes, and a seating area for those watching from above. It makes for a very surreal experience and can probably be utilized for hosting local competitions. Floor 2B: All Purpose Rooms - Classes that are held in this building are generally done here. They offer various types of classes per season ranging from Tai Chi to Kick Boxing to Aerobics, etc. Floor 3: Cardio Room - There is a 30 minute limit per machine and probably about 15-20 machines to choose from with elyptical machines, treadmills, and biking machines to choose from. Floor 4: Weight Room: This room is small and often crowded with people during all hours of the day. There are several machines and a small area for free weights. It can be a little annoying here as there is a wait time for people who are using a particular machine. Plus, not everyone "cleans" after using each one. Floor 5: Gym - How they managed to fit this thing up here is incredible as it looks like a full fleged gym complete with 6 basketball hoops and a net for volleyball or badminton nights. Usually full of high school kids who are playing a pick up game in basketball Floor 6: Kids Room - Perfect for the adult commuting here with their kids, this is almost a little daycare where they can learn on the computers or perfect their origami in arts and crafts. Possibly the cutest floor of the entire building. The prices are outstanding, only $50 per YEAR or $75 with the use of the swimming pool. It stands to be the cheapest gym membership in NY, as there is no better deal. It must be paid through the use of a credit card however, so there is no checks or cash accepted. It'll probably keep the place from getting too run down if they accepted all forms of payment. Plus, the membership is good for any other NY recreation center. Not all is great though, as this place is located in a section that is a real pain to commute to sometimes. Its located on 25th between 9th and 10th which is a bit out there for those of us who don't live near by. There is neither towel service nor locks provided for the lockers. Speaking of which, the locker rooms are a bit on the small side for such a large place. It can get very crowded in a hurry and some times the men's locker room smells like feet, which is not always pleasant. Beyond the locker rooms, the weight and cardio rooms can get so busy that I found myself spending more time standing around and waiting than I did actually working out. The hours are not so friendly as this place is closed at 9:30PM and open for limited hours on the weekend (Sat till 4:00PM). In spite of all of this, the price is too good to ignore and this is truly a deal for those who are looking to save money while staying active. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando Just looking at the outside of Angelo's one can get a certain sense of how touristy it is: - It's in Times Square - About as "famous" as Ray's Pizza - Next door to David Letterman - Crowded with real, family cluttered, senior ladden tourists. But here's the part few people would say otherwise - their pizza is actually pretty good. From the few pies I've had, I can say with confidence the sauce is just right, the toppings are abundant, and the bread has just the right amount of crisp to crust. The pizza looks shockingly tastes as good as it looks. Their version of a white pizza is nicely coated with Ricotta and Mozzarella and is rich. Most days I'd prefer their Pepperoni + Sausage combo, which are juicy and will include a small topping of basil for flavor and texture. Speaking of texture I am shocked to notice how smooth the chicken is in their Fettucine Alfredo with Chicken. It was actually good. Yes, I too cannot believe I just wrote that. Just as ordering in and eating out are very different experiences, the notion cannot be more true here at Angelo's. On any given night the place is and most likely will be insanely crowded even with a reservation. The service can be painfully slow and getting an attentive waiter who doesn't mind a Times Square crowd is next to impossible. However, during the lunch time the place is a solid choice and the management is actually very nice. I've been able to arrange a party or two (at the request of some touristy guests in town) through the cooperation of a very flexible management. For locals otherwise, do the sensible thing and order delivery. They're reasonably fast and ordering online or on the phone is a cinch. The hysteria that is dining in is for the most part not worth it. What is worth it however, are their pizza pies. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando The Wondee Siam chain is like most movie trilogies, with the first one being a classic success, the second being a nice supplementary version, and the third as a slight overkill or disappointment. With no surprise, this original location is easily the best and is certainly one of my favorites on Bangkok Boulevard (9th Ave). After a recent trip to Thailand, this place seems to be among the closest to the authentic Thai food I had sampled. That said, not everyone is into authenticity as plenty of folks have gotten used to the Americanized Thai that is widely available in the area. Lots of the dishes are family style and taste about as fresh as they come. The Massaman and the Pad Khing are excellent here, as is the ever popular Pad Thai. For those looking for a more traditional taste, give the Larb Gai or Yum Ped Yang a try. The ambiance is fairly plain and aside from the multicolored sign, there isn't much decor to highlight. Most folks will find the seating a tad tight and it can get a bit noisy during peak lunch and dinner hours. Delivery is fast and the prices are excellent for the portion and quality. I doubt many folks will have a bad experience here and it remains as one of my favorite Thai restaurants in New York. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando Sometimes sequels don't live up to the hype of the original and that would be the case with this second coming of Wondee Siam. I don't understand why management would bother to have another Wondee Siam a few doors down when they could have opened another one somewhere else in the city. It would be easy to assume that most people would become confused after awhile, perhaps with mild deja vu as they stroll up and down Bangkok Boulevard (9th Ave). Wondee Siam II is not only worse than its predecessor but is probably one of the weaker Thai joints in the area. The menu boasts the same prices, but the food hardly compares to version number one. Pad Thai has been a disappointment each time and so has the Pad See Yu. Appetizers are solid here, but none of the entrees have managed to get a second helping from myself or my dining companions. If anything, the better option would be to consider getting take out here. Delivery is quick as well and with good reason: everyone else is eating at Wondee Siam I. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando KTown's constant transformation from a niche Korean hood to a nightlife mainstay for much of Manhattan has resulted in pricier venues and restaurants for the new wave of non-Koreans suddenly parading the streets. Among the transformation wave has been Woorijp, a once divey deli Korean deli food option to a sure thing for all hours of the day and night. A lot has changed in the 4 years since I wrote my initial review, enough to where Woorijip is worth it's weight in gold and then some. My gripes with Woorijip are no longer the case, a recent renovation has made the place more spacious and clean, along with a major upgrade to their decor and bathroom setup. Lines can still be rampant here but are much better due to the extra cash registers and staff. Where I once said to avoid this place after 7PM is now one of the most recommended times to come. I just now wish they opened till 4AM. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando There is no lie when I say this place makes a great Red Velvet Cupcake. In fact, it's damn good. My cupcake came in the form of a birthday treat leftover. Plenty of folks had already ate their share, there were only a few left on a tray that were of an assorted mix, but the one I grabbed happened to be the last Red Velvet. Upon sinking my teeth in the smooth icing of cream cheese, a sudden realization came upon me: This is good. Really. Freaking. Good.(#1) And as completion of the chomp, chew, and swallow process had taken its course, the moist cake sitting in my stomach asked my brain, "What'd you think?" My brain was too busy soaking up the foodgasm and laid idle as all good 'gasms go. For a split second my eyes rolled back and my silence of mental bliss was interrupted when a friend came over, yelling, "You took the last one!" I looked up and said, "Sorry, but it's mine now. You can eat the other ones. Red Velvet has found a new home .... in my mouth." And sure enough, 3 bites later, it was all gone. I was suddenly a little sad, but only because there were no more left. In a cruel twist of irony, this cupcake was my first meal of the day (#2). I quickly looked back in the dessert bunch to see if I could find a rebound cupcake to keep my fixation alive. I managed to grab another cupcake that tasted like chocolate, but unfortunately it still didn't have the pizazz of the Red Velvet. I later learned it was Big Booty responsible for this Red wonder and I kicked myself for the dozen times I've walked by the place without giving it much thought. That's New York for you. Another thing I learned is beyond the typical bakery items, they have various types of from arepas to soups and sandwiches. I just knew I had to come and take a look for myself. My yearning came to fruition the next morning when I walked to the store to get myself a sample of anything and possibly everything (along with a half dozen Red Velvets) but alas...... they're closed on Sunday. Another day, another cake. ------- (#1) I didn't actually say "freaking." (#2) It's not technically dessert. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando So I was a little harsh to begin with, but I've learned I was ordering the wrong things and sometimes improvements can actually happen. They seem to have gotten their delivery act together and mishaps are occurring far less. Maybe they'll get an extra star when they miss nothing at all. For me, it's all about the noodle soups here. Cantonese style noodles are decent as are the wontons that come with them. The skin wrap of the wontons seem fresh and the tastes are consistent with some of the stuff one would find in Chinatown. Sometimes the broth / soup is a little heavy with the flavor (MSG?) but I do admire the quality of their soup noodles. This is what they specialize in anyway, anything else might be very much hit or miss. The Homestyle Dishes seem to have gotten better as well, with their Shrimp Qiao Dan taking the cake. Request the eggs are fluffy and not well done and the final product should taste pretty good. Service here has also improved so I guess I can resume eating here again. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando It probably doesn't take a rocket science to realize this, but not all chains are the same. Surely folks will make the argument in that in some regard that most McDonalds are fairly the same, but there are so many factors that make them all respectively different. This unfortunately still applies to places like Grand Sichuan. With my remarkable experiences at the East Village location on a consistent basis, it only took a one time visit to this Chelsea location for me to realize that I didn't want to come back. However, as a result of many invitations and overall indecisiveness from various companions, I've been here too many times to wish otherwise. The food for me is good, but not great compared to other places I've been. The soup dumplings are solid and so are the rest of the Sichuanese dishes they have to offer. Dan Dan noodles are fairly consistent as is their main chicken (Kou Shui Ji among others) entrees are good. A big disappointment is the green onion pancake, which looked like flat bread with some green food coloring. I've noticed more non-Chinese here and while I think its because of the location (Chelsea), I also know that Chinese folks will travel far for good food and not too many seem to be coming here. The service is undeniably rushed due to some crazy wait times, especially during dinner. A reservation will not guarantee timely seating and big groups really need to arrive on time and early to make sure they can get in. The bathrooms here are kind of nasty and the decor is tactfully decorated in a way where its completely crapped out but not quite hole in the wall status. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando Common Ground's mission is a simple yet noble one, one that seeks an end all to international homelessness. Founded almost 20 years ago, they've become a leader in providing housing to the needy and creating programs for rehabilitating the homeless community. One thing I find most impressive, is they've been able to acquire properties within Manhattan and convert them into buildings for low income housing. Some are former hotels, or old apartment complexes that have been renovated for individuals who could otherwise not afford to live in the neighborhood. These places are not shabby either, complete with doormen, with spacious and new rooms, and even a super impressive lobby at some properties. The competition to get into one of these units is fierce and the application process essentially outlines one's income and need / desire to live in any given place. When there are organizations out there that make such a difference in local communities I can't help but simply be in awe. I'm all for eliminating the homeless problem (especially in New York City) and would certainly consider this organization if I ever found myself in a dire spot to choose from living in the streets or living in one of these fantastic properties. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando In terms of upper westside diners, Big Nicks (Part "Too") does it right. Even though they're a carbon copy of their older bro Big Nicks, I appreciate this one out of the two. Like the name, this joint goes big on their menu, service, and portions, all at affordable prices. If only the interior matched the name, BIg Nicks is barely big enough to seat 4 at each table. Woof. For a hood that has a pretty restaurant on every corner, Big Nick's Too almost feels like a dive that is busy on any given night. Their robust group of delivery boys are always in and out, as phone is constantly ringing off the hook and the cooks shuffle to get each order out on time. I guess its no wonder the dining room of 6-8 tables of four, is the way that it is. There are occasional weekends where there is a wait, which goes to show how popular this place is, especially after a show at nearby Lincoln Center. It is in respects, a consummate neighborhood friendly diner that happens to be a pizzeria. The staff is uber friendly and has even offered some free house wine on occasion. Their abundant menu screams of a variety few diners could ever match, all while giving the elder patrons an exercise of picking out an item, that is in most cases, printed in tiny font. Don't go for anything too elaborate, pizzas, burgers, and pasta dishes are what they do best. Most of my dining companions that have come here with me would argue in favor of their parm and pizza specialties, where as I would recommend their burgers. In the UWS, these babies are going to be $10-11 per deluxe order, but they're as hearty as they come. The Grecian and Florentine burgers are pretty killer, but the avocado and bleu are my winning combo. If the burgers seem paltry for gargantuan appetites, I would up the ante and shoot for a SUMO burger. It is exactly as it sounds, a big ol burger with a massive angus patty that exceeds a pound. Who needs arteries when its a burger bonanza party? Folks who are confused over eating options in the UWS need not wander anymore. This is a safe default for whenever food is on the mind and the wait is too long at nearby spots. Check the pretension at the door and loosen up the belt buckle for some serious food coma. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando Ladies and gentleman, I present to you all the anti-Radio Shack. Instead of buying overpriced computer parts at the mega electronics stores, one can come here and pay only a fraction of the cost. It's almost as if one of the street vendors decided to open up an electronics store and keep the cheapo prices without the haggling. For awhile it wasn't looking good for Chips & Techs. Their dodgy location on 35th was closed for months and it seems their website business went completely offline. Now situated on 37th St in a brand new space, the place looks better than ever. The layout is much easier and their stock of specific generic / OEM parts seems to be of good abundance. This is one of the only stores in which I was able to buy an eSATA cable. Most of the major electronics stores (Western Digital, Best Buy, etc.) didn't even carry it, forcing me to look online where the cost averaged out to be $8.00. I managed to find a generic cable for $2.00 at Chips & Techs and I couldn't have been more satisfied. I recommend calling ahead of time and doing an inventory check prior to any visit, they're usually friendly and patient enough to help one find what they're looking for. Give this place a try for all PC parts a la carte, they're worth trying out.
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L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando This place is a secret gem in the Theatre district / HK area of midtown. They try to pass themselves off as a "the last real gym" in New York so essentially there is lots of weight equipment and free weights, plenty of cardio machines, on site trainers, and a small protein shake bar. The place is hardly ever crowded with no more than 30-40 people in the small area during any hour. Its well maintained and the music blaring over the sound system is energetic enough to appeal to most folks. The owner is a nice guy and like most other gyms, will try to sell you on a deal during your first visit. The service has actually been quite good throughout, very open and communicative to any of your needs. Truth be told, the place is not large and tends to throw some folks off based on the pictures. The locker room is also small and packed in to where 10 people would be considered crowded. There are no towels, classes, or anything fancy-schmancy (like the "lounges"etc.). This is a straight no frills place to work out, amongst beautiful broadway people who are on their own agenda. And compared to the rest of Manhattan, the deals are out of this world (6 months free for 6 months, $399 for the year, $45 a month, $350 for 14 months, etc.). -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando The newest of the Mid City Gym locations, this particular location is larger and more crowded than its 49th Street location. The equipment is vastly superior and is apparently state of the art. There are plenty of cardio machines and weight machines, along with the same tanning options as all Mid City gyms are known to have. I like the new location, though I do wish it was a little bigger. It's not supremely larger than its 49th street counter part, but the space is well utilized down from the juice bar to the locker room. People traffic seems to be minimal even during the most crowded hours (seems to be the evenings). The plans to workout here are a little different, for most new members it'll be a little more expensive ($49 per month instead of $39 for example) but they have plans that allow for use in multiple locations. Regardless, this is still a great alternative to the ultra expensive clubs and is still a decent place to get your sweat on. -
L'avis 1 étoile de Jando People who claim NYC can't do Mexican well have probably eaten at a place like Mi Nidito during their time here. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, the food here is terrible. Their attempts at haute gourmet Mexican fare is not only an insult to Mexican cuisine but an assault on my palate. They claim their food contains no "MSG, lard or animal fat" and apparently no flavor either. Paying $$$ for mediocre food is all you're going to get here. This side of Manhattan is not known for many Mexican eateries, let alone good ones. I suppose desperation, cautious optimism, and something called Seamless Web played a role in my feeble attempts to capitalize on something that just wasn't there. The Pollo A La Mexicana ($19) was among the worst I've ever tasted, the Steak Tacos Al Carbon ($23) was completely lackluster, and your mileage will vary on any of the Chimichanga combinations ($19-24). The service was terribly slow each time and run of the mill decor isn't indicative of the price-gauging going on here. I am not sure if this place will have the legs to survive another year of our economic downturn, but regardless of how well I'm doing, I'll be sure to steer clear of El Nidito. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando The good news about this place is that its one of the only diners along this stretch of 8th avenue that is 24 hours, 7 days a week. Other things worth noting is the food for the most part is quite good, fresh, and fairly hearty. It also may very well be one of the brightest diners ever and thankfully its clean, with a nice TV in the main dining area to boot. The delivery is very fast, I don't think I've waited more than 25-30 minutes for my food in general. Now the bad news, which essentially comes down to the service and prices. The majority wait staff can be rude and can rush tables at times. Coming here in the wee hours is a little better since the pace is significantly slower, but that doesn't make up for poor service. Calling in, there is often language / communication problems. Speaking Spanish or Greek would be ideal, but often times just asking for specific items on the menu can be a chore. Let Seamless Web do the work online, it may save a headache or two. I won't fault them for being more expensive than the average diner (they are essentially next to Times Square after all), but most folks can find better places just one avenue over on 9th. They also don't list their full menu online, some sides are missing and appetizers (most notably their cheeslicious disco fries) and aren't available for delivery. In the end, this place is worth a shot if price is no object and hunger wins. The food is on a whole very decent (except the burgers / sandwiches) with a special emphasis on their breakfast food. The sausages are plump, juicy, and full of flavor and the omelettes / corned beef hash are delicious enough to warrant a visit. -
New York, NY, États-Unis
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando The king is back, not that he ever left. The closing of Charles Southern Fried Chicken sent shockwaves through Harlem (http://www.yelp.com/biz/charles-southern-style-kitchen-new-york#hrid:h9q0ICAoi3KnSaPH0-tvtg) and it depressed me knowing one of Manhattan's most popular Southern dives was suddenly gone. Charles Gabriel has done it again, by reopening in the very spot where it all started but under a rebranded "Country" name. More importantly, the chicken is as good as ever and hasn't missed a beat. While the restaurant is the same, it now offers a little seating, which is more than they had in the past. There is only seating for groups of 4 or less and only 3 or 4 tables max. The walk on the way to Charles (155th stop) may be a tad intimidating for non-locals, but certainly adds to the authenticity (as if there was any question) of the establishment. Similar to the previous operation, Charles offers a $13.95 AYCE buffet comprised of some of the best Southern in food the island has to offer. An array of beautifully seasoned fried chicken, creamy but hearty mac and cheese, stewed to perfection collard greens, a smothered turkey leg like no other, fresh corn bread, and a killer potato salad. Even though the chicken seems like it's been sitting out for a bit, the quality never suffers. Just eating the chicken a la carte is worth it, but having the rest of the glutton party is a lot more fun. And they take credit cards. Can this get any better? Unfortunately, there are still flaws in the resurgence. The lack of the last star is one for a problem I hope they've already rectified or will fix soon. While I don't want to spoil the lovefest for Charles, I can't help but mention I've seen a few creepy crawlers along the walls (but not in the food!) the few times I've been here. If it was once or twice, it's one thing, but it was at least 4 out of 6 times to where I was aghast . I don't want to pretend like it doesn't exist in other restaurants, but the multiple sightings during each visit is enough to get anyone's attention. While it isn't enough for me to lose my appetite, it'll easily to deter people otherwise. My fingers crossed this problem gets corrected sooner than later. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando Sometimes when places get too popular, the allure becomes sullied by our inability to comprehend why good things must come to an end. Such is life and restaurants in NYC end up becoming cold before they can ever stay hot. This is the case with Tulcingo Del Valle, which incurred a price hike and a service dive. In Manhattan, few places can compete with the simplicity and quality of their food. Yes, its authentic enough to please most Mexican foodies and the presentation is good enough to please most intimidated eaters. The folks behind Tulcingo recognize this and have clearly allowed the popularity of this place to go to their heads. The patron scene has slowly dipped from Mexican only to Gringo plenty. Service is now faster due to the crowded dinner time and weekend lunches and has increased their English speaking, which is important for those of us who don't habla Español. Their phone manners have gotten progressively worse as I've been hung up on more times than I can count after they thought I was done ordering for delivery. Speaking of delivery, the food organization is a mess and often times they forget to include the mini-essentials like napkins and plasticware. Cash only still, but the prices are now in a range where this can no longer be considered a cheap eats place. The area hit most was drinks and appetizers which have all increased at least $1.00-$2.00. I don't know if the food is good enough to merit more visits than I've given them in the past but I do know that with changes to service and prices, comes a deduction of 2 stars. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando I had debated internally about whether or not to give this a full 5 star blessing, but the fact remains of all the Gotham Pizza locations, this Chelsea one is my favorite of them all. Whether its a pie or slice, these reasonably priced pizzas have been uber fresh and super tasty virtually every time I've had them. Is it dumb luck? Maybe. I'm all for keeping the dumb luck streak alive. Like all of the other Gotham locations, the interior screams more take out / delivery than sit down. There is just enough room for a small group of folks to enjoy a pie or plenty of chairs for the solo lunch time / random dinner hour pizza lovers. I've experienced the most success getting them for a lunch, delivery included. Their margherita slice is very much on point, as is their Sicilian / grandma slice. I can go with a well seasoned plain cheese any time, or a classic pepperoni slice. Perhaps my favorite two things about their pizza is the thin crust and the breadcrumb bottom, which makes Gotham the closest thing to Oregon Style Pizza (http://www.yelp.com/list/oregon-style-pizza-ore-keizer ) that I've found in NYC, period. Finally, the guys behind the counter are a friendly bunch. I've seen them throw a free slice or two to guys who could use it (i.e. the needy on the street) and it always makes their day. Gotham Pizza certainly makes mine. -
L'avis 5 étoiles de Jando It's hard not to echo the sentiments of many others but it's true: The Colbert Report isn't just a great show on TV, but a joy to witness in person. I could go on and on about the brilliance of Stephen Colbert and his writers, but instead I will just insist that everyone come see the show live. Where some folks are uppity about seeing Saturday Night Live, Late Night Talk Shows, many who aren't aware one of Comedy Central's finest is available right in Hell's Kitchen. Breathing life into the slowly up and coming 10th Ave, the Colbert Report has a small crowd of eager folks looking to get in almost every week day. Tickets are free. If you aren't picked from the initial signups via the website, definitely opt in for the stand by list. Chances are as good as any considering how many flakers there are in these parts. Once in the studio audience, don't be shocked at how few people there are. TV magic (angles and noise) is definitely in effect; do feel privileged you could be among the few to watch the taping in person. Visitors will always have an agenda of things to do and see in NYC, but if you're not a fortunate local who can come by anytime, then make it your duty to see it while the show is still doing well. Also, Stephen might just actually be funnier in person. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando The three level story building located in the heart of theater district is a great place to unwind on the weekend. Occasionally it gets a bit crowded, thus the multiple floors become very handy. The prices of the drinks are a bit high, but they're made in a way where no one can dispute their alcohol content. On weekends they play decent music, however, beware of the crowd that can congest the journey to the bar. Lots of eye candy here occasionally, crowd diversity varies with a tinge of tourist aura. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando Out of the growing Artichoke chain, this might be my least favorite location. On paper everything looks promising: they accept credit card, offers seating for groups, is located near some of the most popular attractions of west Manhattan and is the largest one. So what gives? It comes down to the pizza. It's good, but the West and East Village locations seem far superior. I've had a few decent renditions of their Sicilian style but that's about where it ends. The spinach artichoke has been more soupy than substantial and the crab pizza seem a bit flimsy and don't hold together too well. While the other pies are still hearty and heavy, the crusts are tough and they've somehow dipped along the Artichoke tastiness scale. While I would normally attribute most of the issues to bad luck, I've been here too many times to note otherwise. But beyond the pizza gripes, there is a greater issue: the crowds. The weekend waits can be beyond an hour if not more. A little mix of tourists and quite a few families, I'm not always big on dining in if I don't have to. The bigger the group it seems, will result in longer the wait. I'm just waiting for them to start adopting a C-Town approach of letting strangers share tables. On a positive note, the location is pretty ideal. A post meal option after a walk on The High Line or late night drunk food after going out in the Meatpacking, this Artichoke serves as a decent option. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando Admittedly, I was a little skeptical. Given the lack of migration of Southern fast chains (with exception to Popeye's) that never seen to make it's way beyond Virginia / PA, I was surprised to see a Church's nestled in the very back of a crummy food court in Times Square. Ironically enough, this might be the best option there. For our southern friends living in NYC, this is it. There is no other Church's in the tri-state area. My dining companions and I attacked the most notable options on the menu, which were coincidentally the cheapest. $2.99 for 3 pieces of chicken and a biscuit? $5.99 for five, two sides, and a biscuit? Done and done. Wait, a drink costs an extra $2-3? I knew there was a catch. The sweet Jamaican lady was nice enough to provide cups of water instead and did a good job of answering questions for the French and Italian tourists standing with us in line. Off we went with our artery clogging eats to a table, shared by a self-anointed prophet (haphazardly spitting lines of world destruction), who was presumably a hobo. Regarding the food, the chicken was surprisingly juicy. The crispy skin was just right from a fresh batch, but the meat was a little scarce. I may have to consider their chicken burgers down the road. The sides unfortunately weren't as appetizing - the mash was bland, watery concoction and the mac was a sloppy, goupy mess. This is all expected of course, but the chicken wasn't terrible. Raising Canes (http://www.raisingcanes.com/menu), if Popeyes, Chik-Fil-A, *and* Church's can make it here, so can you. -
L'avis 3 étoiles de Jando It's a mixed bag of 5 star and 1 star experiences for me at The Ainsworth, so ratings wise it naturally falls somewhere in the middle. When they're at the top of their game, I'd be hard pressed to suggest a better sports bar in the hood. When things are going sour, they're no different than any other mediocre experience. Solely based on venue alone, The Ainsworth delivers. The modern and spacious interior isn't just pleasing to the eye, but really showcases the space's versatility. It is part lounge, part sports bar and with plenty of TVs and a killer audio system to boot. For the non sports fans, this doubles as a solid restaurant where one can order an array of edibles that would hardly be considered as bar food. There is no shortage of variety when it comes to this place. For crowds, it can be everything from herds of college football alumni to DBag city within a few hours. Then there is the work crowd for the lunch or early dinner hour which may or may not include a lively happy hour. The place may not seem like a place to score cheap hordes of food and that's about right. While the smoked chicken quesadilla is a decent starter, it certainly doesn't feel like a $14 appetizer. Same goes for a bowl of standard hummus, which is a pricey $12 on its own. I do remember enjoying a Mexican burger ($16) once, but I also remember being incredibly disappointed with their AINS 26 ($15) burger, which was undercooked and under seasoned. Not feeling like a burger? Perhaps a grilled sandwich or lobster sliders? Together they're only a whopping $30. No biggie. What usually trumps a good time here isn't so much the crowd, but the service. I've had a fair share of awesome bartenders and apathetic wait staff. Some cop a little attitude sometimes, but considering their unruly crowds at times, few could blame them for being less of a stickler to detail. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando I don't think I could say enough good things about Market Diner. It is everything I could want in something as far west on 11th Ave and serves breakfast exactly the way I would want it. After giving me a scare a few years ago through their long hiatus (presumably closed for management transition and renovation completion), they've been back and better than ever. For a largely industrial hood, this place is quiet on the week nights from being far away enough for the Times Square folks, yet boasts a vivacious weekend brunch crowd. The interior is modern enough to look at it as something more than the average greasy spoon joint. It's well lit, contemporary, and clean. And of course, it's got plenty of seating to handle the crowds. Another added bonus? Clean bathrooms. Fist pumping commencing. For starters, they serve the holy grail of all breakfast potatoes: *hash browns.* Instead of serving good ol Northeastern home fries, they've gone against the grain and have made their uniqueness felt immediately. Outside of the Waverly (http://www.yelp.com/biz/waverly-new-york-2), I'm not sure of too many places that serve the griddled version of this potato masterpiece. Rest assured hash brown fans, Market Diner's version is crisp and as shredded as they get. The rest of the food also warrants a thumbs up. I tend to prefer breakfast fare at most diners and the $10 average price tag for omelettes may get a few groans, but expect it for Hell's Kitchen and the rest of Midtown. My go-to omelette at one point was the Roma ($11), which consisted of peppers, mozzarella, mushrooms, and sweet sausage; I now much prefer their goat cheese and fresh basil omelette (9.50), it's unexpectedly sweet yet savory. The breakfast wrap ($8) is already good with its eggs, peppers, cheese, salsa, onions, and sausage is already good, but requesting / subbing hashbrowns in gives an added dimension of crunchiness and overall breakfast heartiness. While most diners don't offer Greek specialties beyond spinach pies and gyros, I was pleasantly surprised to see MD offering up moussaka, fish kebobs, chicken souvlaki, and even pastichio. The items won't beat out anything in Astoria, but it's nice to know the options are there. In terms of availability, the rest of the standard diner fare of salads (overpriced), burgers (hearty), sandwiches, soups, and pastas are available. And finally, my favorite part: Open 24 hours. A hash brown home in Midtown, Market Diner deserves plenty of props. It certainly has mine. -
L'avis 4 étoiles de Jando Karaoke One 7 is without a doubt, one of the better karaoke joints in Manhattan. Some folks would absolutely love this place for its rather convenient location, extensive song selection, and intimate private room setting. Karaoke One 7 has been around for about 4 years and while they started off well, the quality of the place has diminished somewhat. Now they're trying to rebound by throwing out Happy Hour specials ($3 a person in a private room?!) and attempting to become more interactive on their website by hosting a forum and listing their songs online. I think that by listing their songs online they have a definite advantage over most karaoke bars. The only problem is that some of their updated English songs can't be found in the books at the actual place. This is a real downer for anyone who is expecting otherwise. The Chinese / Korean selection is strong, but not as frequently updated as I had hoped. The fact they have very little Spanish songs is a real disappointment as well, thus my expectations have gone downhill with this joint. However, not all is lost. The staff is super friendly on the phone and in person. The prices are fair and the happy hour deals are still very good. Sound selection is relatively decent and the rooms are tastefully decorated, if not comfy. They actually don't take reservations after 10PM and their rooms are small, but intimate enough for a small party of 5-10. Their grand "party room" is supposedly big enough for 15-20 but even the staff has warned me that more than 15 people would result in a very "cramped" room. It sounds almost exactly like iBop. Alcohol is not spendy here, though it can definitely add up quickly. The tables in the room are all too small and because of the thick mic cords, can lead to random spills all over the table. This place could be so much better, I just wish they had a more (accurately) updated song selection and larger rooms.