Saturday, March 31, 2007

Angelika Film Center - review

Angelika Film Center - 18 W Houston St., NY


The hip place to go to see indie films. You'll feel rather hip yourself, as you wait for others in your party to arrive, sitting at the tiny marble top cafe tables dotting the center of the wide lobby. The sandwich I had for my quickie dinner was fresh and tasty - a mozzarella and tomato and basil on sourdough bun, though that plus a cappuccino was $12 and some change. Wow! The guy at the counter was friendly and helpful, warning me that the adjacent atm machine charges $3 and offered that they do take credit cards at the cafe. The lobby is airy and spacious, very high ceilings and the remains of what was probably very cool art deco decor once upon a time. What is left is sanitized and functional, and one of the better ways to designs a movie lobby. I hung out there for just over and hour, hanging out quite undisturbed reading and writing and eating.

As for the movies playing, they usually have the latest indie releases. I've usually only heard of one of the six movies they've got playing at any given time, but you can pretty much just go there, watch anything they're showing, and feel confident it will be couple of quality hours spent. The latest film we watched there was the Dutch film After the Wedding, which garnered some awards or at least some award nominations.

As a shoutout to my husbands favorite snack, the popcorn at the Angelika was top rate. Maybe not the best (that's at the Kew Gardens cinema) but definitely top 5 rated popcorn.

Pros: your adult cinema place without the porn - always good films showing - food is excellent - fabulous lobby in that it offers added functions like a several cafe tables and a couple cushy leather sofas on which to recline while waiting for the movie to start - good organization and flow to the place

Cons: food is pricy! - decor is very slightly run down, but maintains that dark moody quality to it that keeps parents from bringing their kids here on a regular basis - a popular place to go and the more recently released movies are usually sold out if you come too late

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Optical 88 - review

Optical 88
116 Mott St., NY
Chinatown, on the corner of Mott and Hester St.


Seeking out health care service is a scary task for me, and I get easily frustrated when the service is less than competent. Finding Optical 88 in Chinatown was a great find, especially to one like me who really is very particular about her vision correction.

The store itself is clean and friendly, very open and light. They must have had a good feng shi expert because the atmosphere works. They somehow cram in a ton of glasses frames into what seems to be a limited space, and they fit the lenses to the glasses right there on the spot, on the other side of the display counters. In back is the optometrist's office, and they have five optomstrists on staff. A good portion of the eye exam is done by the staff on a couple of machines on the backside of the counter, before they bring you in to see the doctor. The doctor I had was named Richards, and she was nice enough, though a little preachy. She at least had more energy and personality than the last one I saw who did a routine check on some new contact samples I received - this other lady, whose name wasn't offered and I did not bother to ask, looked as if she could not be more bored.

Anyway, the staff was great. I did have some trouble getting the proper contacts, as my brand of choice was backordered for two weeks, but as they promised, they called when the samples arrived, and they worked perfectly.

Pros: quick service, no need for appointment; competent service

Cons: optomitrists seemed to be a secondary component of the store, but they were good enough, much better than what other places I've been to in the city

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

to Killington, VT and back

rountrip to Killington, VT

I know this is not exactly NYC, but it's a good enough roadtrip there from NYC, so I'll just throw in all the reviews together in one post.

McDonald's and Mobile station couplings - they dot the freeways, not sure if it was in Connecticut or Massachusetts or both. This pair is a sight for sore eyes and sensitive bladders. The great things is that they are many of these rest stops, the bad thing is that they all look alike, so you're never quite sure if you're closer to your destination or not.
I do have to say that Mobile stations have the best, cleanest on-the-road bathrooms, or at least gives they appearance of that, with their display of plastic flowers atop the commode and timed air fresheners.

Basin Ski Shop - We were directed here by our more serious ski buddies for ski rentals and such. Quick service, uncomplicated rental forms. I found if you just stand there and look confused, they'll direct you to the right place soon enough. You enter, and to your right is a little counter with rental forms which you complete, then someone directs you to the benches about five feet away, measures your stockinged foot (mine was 24cm), and brings you a pair of ski boots to try. With the correct boots, you're directed to a line another five feet into the store where someone else takes your form and, depending on what level skiier you are, brings out a pair of skiis, holds them next to you for size, then hand the skiis to yet another guy who slaps them on the table, fits the bindings with your boots, then hand you the skis, poles and boots, and then directs you to the counter on the other side of the store, through all the merchandise, to pay for the rentals. It's quite factory like, but works smoothly. I wouldn't say the staff was overly friendly, but quick and efficient and got you moving. The store's exterior takes advantage of the scenery with the huge windows all around the store.

Killington Ski Resort, VT - I still count myself as a "beginner skiier" though this is maybe my fourth time on the slopes. Killington is huge, meaning many parking lots, many trails and lifts, like a little town or big city like NYC it's got its own mini centers like K-1, Snowshed, Ramshead, Bear Mt. We showed up late in the morning, after getting our skis at Basin (see above), so the upper parking lots were full. No worries, as they have free shuttles that haul you around the resort. We made our way to Snowshed so I could review the basics of skiing, and played around on the little slopes/lesson area for an hour or so before purchasing the half-day lift tickets, which weren't that much of a bargain ($68 vs the full day price of $72). Snowshed was perfect for the beginner, a great practice slope that was long enough to get descent practice in, and wide enough for the many beginners to fall and stop and stay safely out of each other's way. When I got enough confidence, we moved to the Yodel trail, a bit narrower and longer trail but still green for the novice.

We then skiied over to K-1 Gondolas and were carried to the top of the mountain to K-1 Lodge where I had the best French dip sandwich. The meat was juicy all on its own, no need of the dipping au jus. Sandwiched between grilled garlic bread and slathered with horseradish spread, it was a grand meal - except that it was way too big to eat as a sandwich, and I felt slightly embarrassed eating it with fork and knife. The cottage fries that accompanied it were perfectly crisp and tastey.

After that late lunch we made our last trail run down the Great Eastern trail that was coded as green but could have been a double black diamond as far as I was concerned. I made it down but not without a good dose of profanity and spills. The conditions had changed by then too - it was now snowing and the trail was more icy. Finally reaching the bottom of the trail alive, we met our friends at the K-1 base lodge, soothed my injuries with a couple of beers and shouted over the live music, laughing at the other skiiers who were whopping it up.

Casey's Caboose for dinner - crowded as all the popular places were. We hung out at the bar for about 20 minutes waiting for a table to open up. Took advantage of the free popcorn waiting in one of those old fashioned popcorn machines at the end of the bar. We scored a great table right next to the huge picture windows and watched the snow fall thickly and gracefully over the mountains and trees. I had the shrimp scampi, others had the diavlo, the stuffed eggplant parmesean, and mussles dish. It was probably good, no loud cries either way of great food or terrible food, but we were already two or three drinks into the night. Our waitress was more chipper than possible, but nice enough.

On the way back, we stopped at Okemo nearby for brunch. First stop was Trappers which was pretty full. We sat at the counter, got a pair of menues ourselves and was ignored by the overwhelmed waitress for a good 30 minutes before finally leaving in a huff. It was as if we were sitting in her blind spot, as she took the orders of two parties who came in after us. We flagged down what w as apparently the only other waitress in the place, who brushed us off saying that we're not in her area. Even if we did get her attention and got our order in, I doubt we would have gotten our food hot, or been able to pay in a timely manner. Down the block we spotted the Hatchery and all was right again in breakfast land. Good service, immediate seating and coffee, and yummy pancakes plus their special omelette of the day - brie, bacon and carmelized onions - made up for the poor service at the other place.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Men Kui Tei - review

Men Kui Tei - 63 Cooper Sq, between 7th St. & Astor Place

A nice cozy Japanse noodle shop. Two doors down (or so) from Japanese hair shop Hairmates, so we'd go get our hair cut, then grab some lunch at Men Kui Tei. I can almost pretend I'm in Toyko when I'm there, with the majority of customers being Japanese and then the occasional caucasian dotting the landscape here and there. Everything is in Japanese, and English of course, but all the handwritten signs on the walls are in Japanese. I think the simple hand drawn pics of the daily specials rock. Plenty of tables for two, four, six, and then a line of barstools along one wall for the solo diners who prefer distractions other than conversation. Huge white bowls of noodle soup, and equally huge bowls of rice dishes. The gyoza was to die for, once upon a time, but the last time I had them it was merely so-so. I particularly liked my katsudon (pork cutlet and egg in rice).

Good casual place to dine for comfort food, Japanese style.

In response to a few reviews that complained of unfriendly service - it's a casual restaurant, not a night on the town. The service we got was friendly enough, and prompt, and quick. If I wanted to pick on anything, I did order a Sapporo and got Sapporo Light instead. My girlish insecurities wondered if that was that a hint. But actually it wasn't bad, so I'm glad for the chance to try it. And no, I didn't bother to send it back.

One more stupid comment - the single unisex bathroom was clean, and spacious. Thank god for that! Restaurants with squeamish bathrooms just suck!

Friday, March 16, 2007

XO Blow Salon - review

XO Blow Salon
W. 14th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues

quickie services for a night out - blow outs, manicures and pedicures.

Pros: attentive bordering on sycophantic staff; good results - manicure and pedicure were quick and clean, the hair was a mere straightening of my mostly-straight hair, but the results turned out better than I thought

Cons: website lists makeup application services, but when I called 24 hours before desired appointment, there were unable to book one because "none of our makeup artists responded" or could do it. a sore disappointment for me - it's al ittle off to have your hair and nails done, but looking like your face just got out of bed. they should note on the website that they require 48 hours notice to make an appointment; also got a booboo on my little toe when the pedicurist filed my toe too hard, then tried to blame me that I already had some wound there - no, I don't think so, but she was appropriately sorry

Three Lives Bookstore

Three Lives Bookstore
154 W. 10th Street, West Village

Attended a reading there last night of works by Ellis Avery and Emily Barton. A cute, tiny bookstore, shelves appropriately dark and filled with books. Awesome creaky wood floors. The small audience and small space made it feel like we were in a little club.

The Factory Cafe - review

The Factory Cafe
Christopher Street, West Village

nice dark decor, good cappuccinos and brownies, plenty of seating, lots of depictions of buffed up men that made me realize that being female in here was something of an anomoly...

a good place to hang out and read or meet up with friends

not the cheapest coffee shop - I think I paid around $7.50 for a cappuccino and brownie.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Alta - review

Alta
W. 10th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues

It is rare to be able to say about a restaurant, "I've had everything on the menu." We - me and my fellow diners at my birthday dinner - can now say that about Alta, a popular tapas place in the West Village. The food was good and can be wallet friendly, the drinks were so-so, and the crowd was fun and lively.

I arrived early and sat at the bar for a bit, and was surprised to see the amount of people coming through, especially for a Wednesday night! The food was great and interesting and we all had a good time trying to count what was coming out and comparing flavors. The food service was great and quick - though I expect that's not so hard when you just order everything, and our waiter, while somewhat odd and inflexible - he couldn't understand when some of our party didn't want non-alcoholic beverages - nevertheless deserves kudos for putting up with our demands, like storing the cake we brought in their kitchen refrigerator until after dinner. He even served it with candles and started the "happy birthday" song.

As for food, I'm having a hard time remembering what anything tasted like (there were 41 items on the menu), but what sticks out mostly are the beef carpaccio, the brussel sprouts, the "two enormous shrimp", the tuna tartar, the skate. Raves from my fellow diners include the lamb meatballs, the broccoli rabe (I hated it, others loved), the Dutch ribs, the Philadelphia truffel surprise...

In other reviews for the restaurant, I read praise for the sangria, but I'm not sure why. They advertise their sangria as "special" but there was nothing special about it. It was much less than other sangrias I've tasted, including ones that were home made. The red sangria closer to your average fruity cocktails - in fact now that I think about it, I'm not even sure it had any red wine in it- and the white sangria was so awful I sent it back - way too sweet, like they spiked pineapple juice with sugar and vodka. Skip the sangria and opt for beer or wines. The meal-end coffee was good - served in French presses and again kudos to the waiter who had to bring three French presses to our table to accomodate the 5 orders of coffee.

Atmosphere: crowded, lively downstairs, though for dinner we were seated in a smaller room on the upstairs; warm colors and decor with candle-light wattage lighting; recommend reservations

Pros: excellent menu, for the most part - only a few dishes were merely good; large seating area and interesting little alcoves; prompt seating when our party arrived (with reservations, of course)

Cons: our waiter was a bit odd but accomodating; unforgivable sangria!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Greenhouse at Planting Fields- review

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Oyster Bay, NY

At dinner the other night I was loudly proclaiming my freedom from exams: "I don't know what to do!" which prompted an invitation to join my in-laws for a trip to a "flower show." So I met them at 1pm the next afternoon, and we drove to my father in law's friend's house, and switched cars, and drove out to Oyster Bay in Long Island to an old historic plantation called simply "Planting Fields."

Our first stop was the Camilla Greenhouse - a large typical old fashioned greenhouse one only seen nowadays in, say, Harry Potter movies or video games. My fellow visitors were focused on Camillas, so we naturally spent most of our time in that Greenhouse. I, having grown up in a desert region then living in Manhattan, knew very little about plants. I now know much more about camillas than I ever thought possible. But they are gorgeous flowers, and as it was pointed out to me, involve quite a variety of variations, so the visit and education was interesting. I was more awed at being in the greenhouse itself. There were two main sections of the Camilla Greenhouse, and held, mostly, camilla variations. It was still early spring (or late winter, depending on how enthusiastic you want to be about the weather) so not many people were around. We probably spent an hour to an hour and a half in the Camilla Greenhouse, viewing all the varieties and me taking pictures of said variations.

I was then surprised to hear that there was a Main Greenhouse, which I would have to be rather impressive if the Camilla Greenhouse in all its size and splendor, was a mere annex for the selfish camilllas. So we trotted across the estate a bit, passing by the house - er, mansion - whose last daily tour we missed by 10 minutes. The entrance to the Main Greenhouse was through the office/gift shop, and so we had chance to read a little about who actually owned and built this estate (the Coe family and the Olmsted Brothers who did some little patch of dirt called Central Park) before heading in. The first thing I noticed of the Main Greenhouse was that it held more variety of plants than the Camilla one, naturally. We passed by bulbous pitcher plants, made our way around an orchid room, peeked into a begonia room, and circled the larger "courtroom" that included coffee trees, banana trees, fragrant bushes of rosemary, and beautifully laid out ... tiny daisy-like flowers around the sunken central area. The "courtroom" was most pleasant, and had this incredible calming air to it, like some sacred spa.

According to the website, I missed a whole lot more to the estate. But the two greenhouses were plenty for me for that one visit. It was inspiring to see such a place, though, and I hope to return one day.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Yin Beauty & Art - review

Yin Beauty & Art
22 E. 66th Street, NY NY
between Madison and Fifth Avenues.
Well this is a preview. Called this morning to make an appointment for their Yin/Yang Qi special, $145 for a body and facial treatment, and yes that really is a bargain. I was all excited, this being a spa based on Chinese medicine principles. Made my appointment for Wednesday, at 10:30am. The person who answered the phone sounded authentically Chinese, but really really tired. I hope this is not the owner or the person going to do my treatments. Sure, I guess 10am is a tad early for some, but still... Will update when I get the treatment.....

Real Review:
In my life I've had a fair handful of facials, and I can definitely rate the one at Yin Beauty to be the best I've had.

I made an appointment for the Yin/Yang Qi 2-hour treatment special, but at the last minute, just before going into the treatment room, I asked if we could switch to the slimming/detox treatment. Tracey, my facialist, was very accommodating, and was able to do it since she didn't have a next appointment. Not only did the treatment last an hour and half, but she charged me for the original special price of $165 - what a bargain!

Began with this essential oils scalp massage - something I always poo-pooed as frivolous until I had this one - it was deeply relaxing and I felt it through my whole body. And this was just the beginning.

The Slimming Treatment involved focus on the "problem areas" like the thighs and tummy, and involved a dry brush (felt like a cat's tongue), smothering of this pepper-like lotion that turned and stayed very hot on your skin, wrapped and rewrapped again and stayed that way until the end of the entire treatment. Then my feet were hoisted onto this machine that was to "imitate the motions of a fish swimming" as it basically wiggled my legs side to side, moving the lymph stuff around and out. It was a bit odd, but not terrible, and if you just accepted it and let it do its thing, then it was somewhat relaxing.

The facial was endless. I felt like she kept putting some lotion on my face, then taking it off, about a dozen times. On, then wipe off; on, then wipe off, again and again. I'm sure it was different stuff she was putting on, but I couldn't tell. The extractions were not so bad, though I still have the blotches from it 24 hours later and that I think is a little long for the blotches to still be hanging around.

After I was done, I was offered a rose tea to sip, and given some sample green tea bags to take with me. It was almost like there was no mention of paying, and they were in no hurry for me to leave - a switch from most other spas.

Pros: I felt like a new person when the treatments were done; my aesthtician was superfriendly, caring and accomodating; no pushing of their products; my face is the smoothest it's been since I was maybe 12 months old? Great atmosphere and decor, small and cozy space with not a lot of people about, but very relaxing and down to earth staff.

Cons: she could use a little more experience I think - I had to stop and ask for a tissue so I can spit out some of the face product that got into my mouth and tasted incredibly bitter; my face is still blotchy after the extractions, 24 hours later, and I've never had blotches last this long; treatments were on the high end of the price range, but with the specials they run, it's not so bad on the wallet.

Recommendations: For facials and body treatment, Yes, absolutely! A bit on the pricy side, but they apparently run specials all the time, so check their website before booking.

AND ONE YEAR LATER....
I returned here for another facial/body treatment, feeling so positive for the previous one. And yeah, okay, so it took me another year to return, but I've been busy, so leave me alone.

My review is mixed - I though the place looked a little more run down than the previous year. The beautiful Oriental decor got mixed in with storage space. The seats looked a little run down, and the bathroom was neglected - burnt down candles, empty bottle of fragrance, empty dishes with leftover soap residue. It was sad to see. I had the same esthetician, and felt she was a little more... harsh with her touch, a bit more careless. Again, got facial product in my mouth, as well as in my eye (I wear contact lenses so this is a big concern for me). I got the month's facial/body special but she talked me into getting an additional treatment to salve the redness of the extractions - at the cost of another $50. The 2-hour treatment went to 2.5 hours, and by the end I was stiff and cranky and tired and wanted to just leave. I got the products push when I was getting ready to pay, her even telling me that the products I use just weren't good enough, how terrible my skin is (yes I have problems with it, but did she bother to think it might be laziness on my part?). I was already smarting from the extra $50 fee tagged on, so I refused the products.

On the upside, my skin on both face and body felt amazingly soft for a good week afterwards. My skin rarely looks this good, and I did look more refreshed and even younger than I have in a while.

So, the end result is great, but they left me feeling not so great - and isn't that the whole purpose of spa indulgences, to feel awesome and pampered and comforted?

I heard rumor they might be opening a second location - I would recommend they put the money into keeping up the first location as it sorely needs it.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

gothamist

gothamist

Since I moved to NYC, I am constantly searching for the definitive guide to all things happening in NYC. I have found guides that cover a sliver of All Things, depending on which socio-economic level you wish to penetrate, but have yet to find one that's all encompassing. The Gothamist comes close to my NYC-heart's desire.

The Gothamist website has got constant news updates, from top story headlines to sports scores to art scene to local politics to foodie reviews and ongoings - plus an opinion on it all. It's also got a million links to other blogs and such, and numerous cool pictures (which sometimes confuse me as I assume the pic has something to do with the blurbs below it, and they usually don't - it's just a cool pic of something NYCish). Also has links to other city blogs referred to as "-ists" should you ever find yourself curious about the vibe in other cities.

I check out the Gothamist daily, several times a day. But that's just because I am a graduate school student and have the time to waste on my computer.

Fresh Direct - review

Fresh Direct

A godsend sometimes, a frustrating nightmare at other times. But life is harder without it, damnit all.

First heard about Fresh Direct a few years ago when my co-workers, who lived in Manhattan and actually had kitchens, took advantage of the $50 in free food on their first order. I had to wait until I moved into an apartment that had a full refrigerate complete with freezer before trying out such service. And move to Queens. And realize that the nearest grocery store was nothing like Whole Foods, and to get descent produce I had to either schlep it in all the way from Manhattan, or have it delivered.

The first order arrived late, almost an hour late. The eggs were broken, the frozen beef patties were nowhere to be found, and the milk carton had leaked. I complained to friends who were Fresh Direct fan, and they reacted with shock for they never had such service. So I called and complained, got my few dollars credit in compensation, and ordered again. The order was as is this time, and they came within the two hour delivery block. I found it convenient to use and more controlled than going to the grocery store. While the fiance had his Jeep, he could only go shopping with me on the weekends, and after one four-hour shopping trip complete with crowded aisles, rude customers, slovenly cashiers and cramped parking lots, I begged again for the use of Fresh Direct.

We ordered about once a week, but the then-fiance (now husband, not ex) took up issue with the delivery fees, so we cut it to twice a week, until we built up a good pantry. Now it's about once a month, and I've learned a few rules - like, don't order eggs or anything else so fragile it would not stand up to the heaving and tossing required of such deliveries. We stopped ordering the beloved froze boule bread when the last one had mold growing on the bottom - in a frozen bread, no less! The produce is generally good, though for a while it was just down right nasty, I don't know why. Now we use it mostly for heavy bulky items, like seltzer waters and cat litter, and other staples like flour and sugar. The only fresh items we still get are the bulk chicken breast fillets. Occasionally we'll try some of the heat-and-eat meals, but the last time we got gnocchi it was horrible and mushy after being cooked, even though the last time we had it, it was great.

Everytime I complain about Fresh Direct to my friends, their simple answer is to just call and complain, and they'll refund you something. Sure, okay, but that doesn't make up for the disappointment. I ordered vine ripened tomatoes, I get sent your usual store bought tomatoes, and now I have to run down a couple blocks to the grocery store to get them. I could have done that in the first place! It's a tease, you know? I'm growing weary of the constant disappointment.

I fear Fresh Direct's quality is slowly going downhill, and with each order we add more and more items to the "do not order from Fresh Direct" list. I can see us soon buying $40 worth of seltzer water, but for now that's okay. Because seltzer water is important.

Ziegfeld Theater - review

Ziegfeld Theather
141 W. 54th Street, NY NY 10019

My favorite movie theater. It's grand and plush, and makes you feel like you're attending a special event rather than a mere movie. Red velvet lining the walls, grand staircases, escalators that take you high into the splendor of entertainment. The seats still have their individual numbers on it, as if you were attending a live performance. The bathrooms are just awesome! A sink and mirror in each toilet stall - that's luxury!

For an old fashion cinematic experience, the Ziegfeld theater is the place to go.

New York Times - review

New York Times

I once made the conclusion that I could judge a city by its newspaper. The London Times, for example, whetted my desire to move to London; the Chicago Tribune helped me to cross the Windy City off my list of places to live. I thought that the New York Times was a reflection of the city, and felt a certain sense of sophistication by moving to such an educated, mature city. Then I started actually reading the paper.

In fairness, I usually do not have a problem with the paper or its content. I miss the funnies section, but hey, that's for less sophisticated people. Then I started reading articles like one that was on the front page on July 4th some few years ago, and it read like some high school essay written for a Patriotic Speech of the Week contest. The quality was amaturish, using more adjectives than nouns. I could only imagine it was the work of some intern whose father was close buddies with the editor in chief. It was an essay of the utmost frivolity, and it was disheartening to think it was not only in the paper, but on the front page.

I continued to read the Times with a wary eye, and find it interesting that when I read articles on subject I really know nothing about, I just assume it to be true. Then I would read an article on some subject I know about quite well, and find I get rather offended at the misinformation and misguided critique. You would think I would learn that that all that I read is a few degrees shy of the accuracy and truth of the matter, or that I would stop reading the paper altogether. But read on I do. Is it the font? The layout of the sections? Or that the advertisers include Tiffanys and Barneys? It is one of the few trusted publications of all things ongoing in NYC, and it's easier to begin a conversation with., "Hey did you read that article in the New York Times about..."

At least the Tuesday Health/Science section continues to give me fodder for preaching about how deplorable the degree of state of healthcare is in this country. ("Hey, did you read that article in the New York Times about how many thousands of patients have been killed in hospitals last year because the nurses/interns gave them too much medication?")

At least now I settle for the online version, which is free of course, save for the editorials whose headlines are prefaced with a large orange "T" indicating it is only for those special readers who pay. I pretend I'm helping to save the environment by not purchasing the paper edition, but in truth I'm saving myself a nice chunk of change. Sorry Maureen Dowd, I love your column but I love my pocket change more.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Le Pain Quotidien - review

Le Pain Quotidien - various locations around Manhattan, including W.72nd St, 18th St., Grand St., 58th St.

What does one call this? A "high end" coffee house? The communal tables are the best - long long long wooden tables situated mid-room, smaller tables surrounding the perimeter. I love this place to hang out in, wait for friends or others, a good place to meet. The food and coffee are good, and so were the dessert last year, though I don't know what happened to the pumpkin pie this past fall but it was awful and orange-y, compared to the heavenly delight they made the year before. But the last time I had the Belgian waffle, I was beyond happy.

The customer base changes depending on the neighborhood. 58th Street was crowded, W.72nd had many solo, well dressed diners, Grand St. varies between small groups of obnoxious sneering wanna be hipsters and slightly older couplings meeting to discuss business proposals and transactions.

This is apparently a world-wide franchise, and I like the idea that I could travel to, say, London or Tokyo or Kuwait and plop myself down at the neighborhood LPQ to read or have a sip of coffee. In my dreams, I do travel that much.

Pros: good atmosphere - clean and spacious, casual place to hang, table service or cafe optional. I like the handle-less coffee bowls

Con: a bit pricy for a casual hangout, they close WAY too early (7pm? 7:30? come on....), the utterly disappointing and unforgivable change in the pumpkin pie last fall

Friday, March 9, 2007

ICE - review

Institute of Culinary Education
50 W. 23rd St., NY, NY 10010

At the end of last year, I gave my honey a 4-hour cooking class for his birthday, and of course reserved a spot for myself in it as well. The course was on Southeast Asian cooking, run by a guy named Richard.

In a phrase: What fun! It was a small class, 16 people max., of a variety of ages from 20-something to maybe 70-something. Most were couples, and the only uncouples folks were two guys who came solo. We first sat around a steel table situated in front of a cavernous open kitchen, while Richard passed out the packet of recipes and gave us a brief overview of the main ingredients used in SE Asian cooking. We saw, heard and sampled some of the ingredients; were given appropriate warnings regarding preparation (wear gloves when chopping the chilis and don't rub your eyes immeidately after chopping said chilis) and even which brands to use and which ones to avoid (authentically speaking).
Then we all got up and spread ourselves around two prep tables that were further back in the belly of the kitchen. Each place was set up with a white cotton apron, a matching tattered towel, and our cutting board and plastic handled chef's knife. Cooking for kindergarteners! We set about chopping and measuring and getting to know one another. Richard evolved into this amazing conductor who was everywhere at once, keeping an eye on what we were chopping and measuring, making sure that I sliced only one 3-inch finger of ginger, not three. Things started cooking, boiling, ingredients whirring about in blenders and processors. My husband and I got stuck at the vegetable table and did not get much exposure to the preparation of the snapper and squid, but we did pick up some tips on how to properly julienne cucumbers and mangoes.
After a couple of hours, the food was ready. We all sat around the steel tables where we had started the class, and had ourselves a darned good meal, paired nicely with beers and wines that emerged. The dishes turned out really well, the least impressive of which was the chicken that was just not tasty enough. The peanut sauce was the best I've ever had, and I was glad we got the recipe. We were encouraged to take any of the leftovers home, though I cannot remember if we did or not. It was almost sad to say goodbye, after such an isolating and intense few hours. We all wished each other well, and went on our way.

Pro: fun, lively, educational and interactive, some good tips to pick up. The instructor makes the class, though. Huge variety of classes to choose from - interactive cooking to intensive skill-cultivating to mere tastings and pairings of wine. Classes are offered, I think, every day of the week, all year round.

Con: with so many recipies and so many people, you really only get to prepare part of the meal, so don't come expecting to have experienced all of it. If you're interested in how to prepare something specific (say squid or fish), make sure you pay attention and situate yourself in a stragetic place when it comes out. Also it's not inexpensive - least expensive classes are around $85 per person, most single 4-hour sessions are $110.

Sur La Table - review

Sur La Table - SoHo
75 Spring Street - Manhattan
http://www.surlatable.com/home.do

Sur La Table in SoHo is like a little slice of heaven, my version of a candy store - so many things to see and want and touch and buy! My amature cooking senses are just delighted with the variety of kitchen stuff. Latest visit was on early March, when I went to get a salad spinner (as the spouse and I decided to get serious about our healthy eating habit), and ended up also getting also an oven thermometer and a long narrow spice grinder - and that was with all my will power keeping me back from picking up additional cookie cutters or spring form cake pans. The kitchy stuff I normally skip over - I'm still too young to own decorative platters with bunnies or turkeys on them. I go here for the basics that are basic and functional without being cheap and without being too cutesy.
Is it the layout, the location? Something somehow convinces me that the high prices are getting me more durability for the buck than if I buy something from Williams-Sonoma or Bed Bath & Beyond.

Just did a search on Chowhound.com for said store, and found its competition - Broadway Panhandler (http://www.broadwaypanhandler.com/broadway/). Hmmm... love competition...

Pro: huge variety, good quality
Con: on the pricier side, but if you're serious about your cooking, you won't mind that

Blockbuster - review

Blockbuster was okay when it began, and got downright creepy when it started taking over all the little video rental stores, then charging an outrageous $5 to rent a movie. And the late fees just sucked. I hated Blockbuster, boycotted Blockbuster, and swooned with love when Netflix emerged. However, it's amazing how time, innovative competition and lawsuits can change a person, or company....

Gotta hand it to Blockbuster - they were smart enough to turn themselves around, going from an overly expensive video rental conglomerate, got the bejeezus scared out of them by Netflix innovative DVD-by-mail service, and hopped on that bandwagon. Now they've combined both the DVD-by-mail as well as instore rentals available for a low monthly price, on top of the awesome overly extended late fee policy where it says "2 day rental" but in actuality you can hang on to the bugger and procrastinate returning the movie for up to a week before the give you a kind computer voice call to say "give me back the movie" - all without late fees. And if it's still late, you now own it, and never have to return it! Great. Awesome! PLUS - you can exchange your mailed DVD for one instore - even better! Why wait 24 whole hours for the next movie in queue?? I want my movie now - I get my movie now! I have no desire to rent movies anywhere else (sorry Netflix), let alone ever buy movies ever again, and this even gives your normal theater screening of movies a run for their money. New Blockbuster has spoiled me. Let's hope they keep it that way.

Metamorphosis Spa - review

Metamorphosis Day Spa
127 E. 56th St., 5th floor, NY NY 10022

Dark simple decor, such that a man would probably not feel out of place there. My experience was awesome when I had my favorite facialist, Vera - but that was three years ago, and the other two times I had a facial that was from someone other than Vera, they were heavy handed and nearly drowned me in cold cream. Maybe I have a small face and they have large hands - dunno.

My first visit was maybe 2002? New Year's Eve, and my best girlfriend and I went there on a package deal. I liked it so much - well I liked Vera so much that I went back, got a whole microdermabrasion series done over the course of three months to erase away those last traces of adolescent acne. As I continued to have money, I kept going back. Then I quit my job and went to graduate school, and stopped going because graduate students don't go to expensive spas to get facials. Even if she lives in Manhattan. I did go back about six months ago, to do some wedding prep. By that time Vera was gone, and while my facialist was ... well meaning, she just wasn't Vera.

Overall, the spa gets good reviews. It also did some nice search engine finagling because if you google "spa nyc" the first listing is Metamorphosis. Could account for the reviews. It seems to be more known for their couples treatments and massages, and they seem to offer more and more medi-spa services, things that involve electricity.

I wouldn't NOT go there again, but with the hundreds of spas in NY, I'm willing to try other places and see how they measure up.

Pearson Vue - review

Your use of Pearson Vue will mostly likely occur once in your life, if you ever have need of its services in the first place. Plus, it is not even up to you whether or not you will use their services if you need them. That is chosen by whatever examination/licensing corporation that acts as the gatekeeper between you as amateur and you as living out your chosen profession.

It is, in short, a testing center. It offers computer-based examinations, and moreso offers the myriad of security checks and anti-cheating procedures that examination/licensing boards hope to utilize. My particular vocational field just started using Pearson Vue for their testing services, and I, stupidly enough, decided I might as well get it over with and be a guinea pig. I should clarify that it is not the Pearson Vue center itself that bothers me, but the material they decided to test us on... but that is an altogether different subject.

The building it's in, 100 William Street, was itself not hard to find, but the entrance was, especially for one like me who is entirely unfamiliar with anything below 14th Street, let alone any neighborhoods that use names rather than numbers to designate their streets. Sure 100 William Street was on the corner of William and John, but the entrance was BEHIND the huge portion of the building that housed a Starbucks and a bank, or was that some flower shop? Not sure, but annoying nonetheless. At least the lobby was kind enough to post a large sign saying "Pearson - 12th Floor" and one merely signed in at the log, and headed up in the elevator to the 12th floor. And on the 12th floor, the door to Pearson is the first thing you see. Easy peasy.

Once through those doors, the people behind the desk immediately see you and call out to you amidst your confusion, "JUST TAKE A NUMBER AND COME THIS WAY." Before you stands a podium with a stack of plastic circles bearing a single number on it, and you take one, and go to the desk. You tell them what test you're taking, they give you a sheet of rules and instruct you to read them, then put all your personal belonging in a locker (including your wrist watch and anything in your pockets), take the key with you, as well as your ID, and come back to the desk where they take away the sheet of rules, check your two IDs against their records, and take your picture and finger print. Then you wait again, and someone escorts you to the back testing rooms, and passes you on to the GaterKeepers of the testing rooms, where you are once again finger printed and checked against the picture of you they just took, and proceed to lectured you on the rules of the examination procedures before bringing you into the testing room. The deathly quiet testing room. They reaffirm that you WILL BE VIDEOTAPED AND RECORDED during your exam. You have a seat, the GateKeeper logs onto the computer for you, and you begin.

A grueling and frustrating time later, after the computer has determined you passed or failed and has shut itself off, you wave your hand in the air. Then you wave your white plastic write-on board in the air. Finally you turn around to see the GateKeeper sitting there with his/her head down, and you start to get up before the GateKeeper looks up and motions you out. You're fingerprinted - AGAIN - and directed out to collect your coat, bag, and test results report.

What I liked about the Pearson Vue center was that it was clean. Like, really clean, almost as if it's brand new. And there was a creepy quiet than hung over everything, almost like a library but worse because other than in the testing rooms, no one was really concentrating on anything. People just obeyed the silence like lambs to the slaughter. And the staff was nice, very nice, and spoke to you slowly and articulately as if you were 5 years old or mentally challenged. Or about to take a test that could change the course of your life.

One note on CATs, or computer-adaptive tests - they suck. They just SUCK. I don't care that in the end, I knew walking out of the test that I passed. It was a Pyrrhic victory - the damage it did to my self confidence in asking such ridiculously hard and irrelevant questions and causing me to shake my head mouthing "what the f**k?" at 90% of the questions. I'm still stinging from it. (whimper)

Nyonya - review

Nyonya - 194 Grand Street, between Mott & Mulberry

Located in Chinatown area, on Grand Street between Mott and Mulberry. Good food, quick and attentive service, good prices. The atmosphere was bustling and comfortable, all wood and bamboo, many tables well spaced out (i.e., you're not sticking your elbow in your neighbor's side or having to rub your ass against their unfortunate plate as you squeeze by to use the loo) and, as mentioned above, the service was extremely attentive, as evident by the handful of servers who sort of stood around in a loose cluster by the wall. We were there around 1pm and I was surprised it was not more crowded, but I had seen it more crowded at dinner time in prior visits.

The food for today was the Kueh Teow Thong (flat noodles soup) under the Noodles in Soup section of the menu. It was typical comfort food to me, at least with what I grew up with - flat white noodles, a clear lightly flavored broth, topped with chopped scallions, nicely cooked shrimp and shredded chicken. I had let it sit for too long as I was working on other food, and before we knew it the noodles had puffed up, having soaked up a good majority of the broth. This is the kind of dish I could eat without thinking, or at least while thinking of other things. My fellow diner/spouse had his staple favorite Nasi Lemak under the Rice Dishes section. It came out on a green rectangular platter, rice ball in the center, surrounded on all four corners with different meaty, saucy dishes. All the meaty dishes were very tasty, some hot, some cold, some spicy - watch out for the chicken dish that had random rib bone fragments still attached to the meat. I accompanied my lunch with a Tiger beer (I had a rough morning) and my spouse was good with the complimentary tea.

They cleaned up rather quickly (after waiting patiently for us to finish picking at the remains), and plunked down the bill with no offering of dessert - a shame. Maybe there is no dessert during lunch time? We left a $20 on the table, which was enough to cover the cost of lunch plus tip.

OVERALL - More pros than not - good food, good prices, good service, good environment. If there are any cons, just beware of the many paged menu and large variety of offerings. A good staple restaurant, though!

First blog entry... wow

A monumentous occasion, first blog entry. Hoping this will be focused on my thoughts/opinions/reviews of NYC establishments... at least I'll try to focus it that way.
NYC is so damned huge, every living inhabitant and visitor will have his/her own personal NYC. This is mine.

Disclaimer - your patience is appreciated. I've read so many blogs, but never did one myself, and can only hope to live up to those more popular ones. I have grand views of what this will become, but for now I fumble with the awkwardness of new acquaintences. Who might have a crush on each other. And hope to impress...

Many questions clutter my mind - how much personal info to give away? How clever do I try to be, before falling flat on my face, looking merely desperate? How to format, how often can I edit and if I do so often, will it show up on the posts with "Edited on...." with every succession? Should have called this "The Work in Progress".