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
Saturday, March 31, 2007
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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