the Forest Hills branch
I never gave much thought to the Queens library. I thought they were being clique-y by trying to distinguish themselves from the NY Public Library. And besides, I'm still in denial that I live in Queens, so I shouldn't have any real use for the Queens library.
So prompted by a positive NY Time article (yes I still read the damned thing) about the library, I mentioned it to DH who, after living here this whole time, has never bothered to mention it to his geeky bookish wife, and actually claimed that the Forest Hills branch is kinda nice, or comfortable, or something acceptable like that. It's not too far from us, so I applied for a library card, was thrilled when it arrived a week later, and promptly went down to the branch to check it out (and gather some business-type books).
The library is short. Not the building itself, but the shelves inside, are low and you can see over them. It's odd. Open. Small, like we are all little children. It's a tad confusing for the newcomer, as you enter to face a long check out-type counter with lots of people sort of busy on both sides of it. Then you see big spaces both to the right and left, filled with the child-sized library shelves. I go right, looking for the business section. I am not to expect a huge selection, given this is not the main branch, and given the thin state of inventory of the many major chain stores across the Boulevard in "town". I find the business section finally, gather a couple of books I need and am directed back over to the counter by the entry way.
Okay, here is the coolest part. So I get the attention of one of the people on the official looking other side of the counter, tell her it's my first time here and she patiently shows me how to use the utterly awesome cool checkout system. One of the best self-checkers so far! You line up all the books, face up, as well as your library card on this huge scanning slab on the counter. It's big, I mean really big. And with one touch of a button, it scans everything, all at once. Out pops your receipt, and voila. You're done. In, like, 5 seconds. Wow. So cool! So simple! So fast! Did I miss something? Whose amazing invention was this??
Another interesting thing to note - they have plastic bags for your books, like grocery bags only a tad nicer. I thought it odd since one - I've never ever seen bags to carry your books out in any of the libraries I'v ever been to in my whole entire geeky bookish life, and two - it did seem a bit odd in this current ecologically-conscious, "lessen your footprint!" environment. Odd. I did not take one. Not sure how I feel about it. If you're buying your books, then yes I believe you are entitled to a plastic bag in which to carry your brand new unsoiled purchase. But to borrow books? Odd.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Kang Suh, Korean BBQ
located in Koreatown,
1250 Broadway, on 32nd and Broadway.
It is one of the most disappointing things to see a good restaurant go downhill. Such was the disappointment last night when we brought some out of town friends to Kang Suh for their first Korean barbecue experience. Our choice of Kang Suh was not an accident, as we had dined here a couple of times in the past and had an excellent experience with delicious food and more than adequate portions.
Last night's experience suggested that the restaurant reduced all portions by a third. We ordered the usual seafood scallion pancake, and order of beef and shrimp barbecues (even doubled up on each for the six of us, as the waitress suggested), plus the yuk hwe (Korean version of beef tartar) and added a serving of vegetarian shumai. The food came as usual, in this sudden blur of dishes and unfamiliar sides that fought for space on the wide table; out came the pancake served just as the meat began sizzling in the middle of the table spread atop the barbecue pan. We ate with the usual frenzy, though trying to keep up some semblance of social talk.
Rather than miniature slabs of meat, our barbecuing beef was thin and shredded, and entirely inappropriate for barbecuing. The shrimp was adequately sized, but the yuk hwe, as well, was thinner than the usual. The number of side dishes (banchan) was also skimpy, and a lot less variations than usual.
Last time we were here, the two of us had to wait a good 20-30 minutes for a table. This time the six of us were seated immediately, and for 8pm on a Saturday night, that's practically unheard of, until you notice that the restaurant was much less crowded than before. We found out why. Next time we're going with the other blog reviews and recommendations, and going with Shilla or some of the others down 32nd Street.
1250 Broadway, on 32nd and Broadway.
It is one of the most disappointing things to see a good restaurant go downhill. Such was the disappointment last night when we brought some out of town friends to Kang Suh for their first Korean barbecue experience. Our choice of Kang Suh was not an accident, as we had dined here a couple of times in the past and had an excellent experience with delicious food and more than adequate portions.
Last night's experience suggested that the restaurant reduced all portions by a third. We ordered the usual seafood scallion pancake, and order of beef and shrimp barbecues (even doubled up on each for the six of us, as the waitress suggested), plus the yuk hwe (Korean version of beef tartar) and added a serving of vegetarian shumai. The food came as usual, in this sudden blur of dishes and unfamiliar sides that fought for space on the wide table; out came the pancake served just as the meat began sizzling in the middle of the table spread atop the barbecue pan. We ate with the usual frenzy, though trying to keep up some semblance of social talk.
Rather than miniature slabs of meat, our barbecuing beef was thin and shredded, and entirely inappropriate for barbecuing. The shrimp was adequately sized, but the yuk hwe, as well, was thinner than the usual. The number of side dishes (banchan) was also skimpy, and a lot less variations than usual.
Last time we were here, the two of us had to wait a good 20-30 minutes for a table. This time the six of us were seated immediately, and for 8pm on a Saturday night, that's practically unheard of, until you notice that the restaurant was much less crowded than before. We found out why. Next time we're going with the other blog reviews and recommendations, and going with Shilla or some of the others down 32nd Street.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Zipcar
First heard about this service when I was living in Boston just before moving to NYC, but I had a car at the time, and did not need it. Thought it was a cool idea, though. Fast forward seven years later, I'm not only living in NYC but have moved to the more sensible bourough of Queens. Still need a car though. The husband came with a car, (a fun little white jeep to be exact) but that was bartered off for more necessary items. So we find ourselves in the suburbs, without a car. And it sucked. Borrowing the in-law's car worked sometimes, but when you have plans and they have plans, they trump you.
So, Zipcar to the rescue. Signed up at the beginning of the month, and have used it three times already, borrowing a Honda Element, a Scion (what maker?), and today a Toyota Prius.
The good things: damned convenient, and they have cars in lots all over the damned place. I like the choice of cars you have, kind of like a sample tasting, or like having a wardrobe for various occasions - the mountaineer, the furniture mover, the eco-conscious tree hugger, the sexy zippy hipster, the yuppie (those still exist?). I like the ease with which one can select a car and see what is available in any location. I like the option of borrowing cars in various major cities with a single membership. I like the switch from hourly to daily rates based on whichever is less. I like the card system, I like the gas card included (once you figure it out). I like how my application, done and submitted online, was finished and approved in record time of like 10 minutes, maybe less, and how I got to just head on into Manhattan to pick up my card that very day rather than waiting for it to get to me via snailmail. By golly, I like an awful lot of things about this service!
The bad: Not a lot so far. Uhm, the cleanliness is.... what is expected in a community car. It's not sparkling clean, and the Honda Element had definitely whiffs of wet dog (and the dog hair) when we picked it up. And it's not exactly the bargain we thought it would be, easily spending $60-100 per use. Once upon a time I thought the mileage was unlimited, and now there is a 180 mile cap on what's included, but can you blame them I guess with the wacked out gas prices and all? What's also terrible is the temptation to use it more than necessary, and watching your wallet bleed because of it. I mean, if you need it in NYC, chances are anywhere you want to go is about an hour out, making it two hours round trip, then calculate the time spent at desired location is minimum an hour or two, and if you're not luck, you've got to figure in traffic time... so yeah, it adds up.
So, Zipcar to the rescue. Signed up at the beginning of the month, and have used it three times already, borrowing a Honda Element, a Scion (what maker?), and today a Toyota Prius.
The good things: damned convenient, and they have cars in lots all over the damned place. I like the choice of cars you have, kind of like a sample tasting, or like having a wardrobe for various occasions - the mountaineer, the furniture mover, the eco-conscious tree hugger, the sexy zippy hipster, the yuppie (those still exist?). I like the ease with which one can select a car and see what is available in any location. I like the option of borrowing cars in various major cities with a single membership. I like the switch from hourly to daily rates based on whichever is less. I like the card system, I like the gas card included (once you figure it out). I like how my application, done and submitted online, was finished and approved in record time of like 10 minutes, maybe less, and how I got to just head on into Manhattan to pick up my card that very day rather than waiting for it to get to me via snailmail. By golly, I like an awful lot of things about this service!
The bad: Not a lot so far. Uhm, the cleanliness is.... what is expected in a community car. It's not sparkling clean, and the Honda Element had definitely whiffs of wet dog (and the dog hair) when we picked it up. And it's not exactly the bargain we thought it would be, easily spending $60-100 per use. Once upon a time I thought the mileage was unlimited, and now there is a 180 mile cap on what's included, but can you blame them I guess with the wacked out gas prices and all? What's also terrible is the temptation to use it more than necessary, and watching your wallet bleed because of it. I mean, if you need it in NYC, chances are anywhere you want to go is about an hour out, making it two hours round trip, then calculate the time spent at desired location is minimum an hour or two, and if you're not luck, you've got to figure in traffic time... so yeah, it adds up.
Sushi You
on 51st between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
A tiny sushi restaurant and bar owned by a married couple (he the sushi chef, she the domineering hostess)in a basement space about the size of my living room. Cozy atmosphere, predominately Japanese customers with a few non-Japanese as well. We sat at the sushi bar, but because our host was friendly with the owners we got a few of the homemade Japanese dishes - croquettes and some potato and pork dish, both delicious. We sat and chatted, ordered sushi by the piece, a couple at a time. We sampled two kinds of eel (fresh and salt water variations), sweet sea urchin, mackerel toasted with a blow torch, tuna, salmon, salmon roe, conch. All were delicious, very fresh. The sake flowed, as it was served in square wooden cup atop a saucer that caught the overflow from the cup. Lick a pinch of salt and chase it with a swig of sake - a new "poor man's drink" that I learned, and a new way to savor the sake layers.
A tiny sushi restaurant and bar owned by a married couple (he the sushi chef, she the domineering hostess)in a basement space about the size of my living room. Cozy atmosphere, predominately Japanese customers with a few non-Japanese as well. We sat at the sushi bar, but because our host was friendly with the owners we got a few of the homemade Japanese dishes - croquettes and some potato and pork dish, both delicious. We sat and chatted, ordered sushi by the piece, a couple at a time. We sampled two kinds of eel (fresh and salt water variations), sweet sea urchin, mackerel toasted with a blow torch, tuna, salmon, salmon roe, conch. All were delicious, very fresh. The sake flowed, as it was served in square wooden cup atop a saucer that caught the overflow from the cup. Lick a pinch of salt and chase it with a swig of sake - a new "poor man's drink" that I learned, and a new way to savor the sake layers.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Petrossian
at the corner of 58th and 6th
Went there for a special celebratory dinner - my husband and I are both licensed professionals now, and our companion couple just got engaged. I picked the restaurant having fantasized about dining in such a beautifully decorated building that Petrossian is housed in. Was glad to have finally gotten the opportunity. It was also Restaurant Week in NYC, in which Petrossian was participating, so we had a nice alternative to the normally extremely pricey entrees.
The place was livelier than I thought it would be, having seen not only it's reputation as a high class French restaurant and the old establishment decor. Perhaps it was the Restaurant Week, because we went on a Tuesday evening and it was loud, lively, and full - but not so full as to make us uncomfortable.
The decor was a muted pink, darkened lighting, Art Deco-style. We sat near the entrance, and so missed the mirrors over the bar that were etched in huge Erte figures. Sad for me as I really like Erte's art. The tables were beautifully and simply set in white, silver and blue and the high fluted champagne glasses insisted we order champagne, which we obliged. A toast of champagne we followed by our order. The female friend and I ordered from the less expensive $35 prix fixe menu with the caviar supplement (additional $16), getting the caviar appetizer, and I got the duck while she ordered the halibut. The men ordered from the other prix fixe menu ($65) which came with its own caviar appetizer, then scallops and foie gras served warm (a surprise), and they both got the same seared coriander-encrusted tuna entree. The desserts were varied, and my comment on my blueberry and citrus dessert was "It tastes like it looks." which unfortunately was not a compliment, more a disappointment. We ordered coffee, cappuccinos and espresso to accompany the desserts. Our reservation was at 7pm, and we did not leave until 11pm, so kudos to the staff for not bothering us as we sat there talking and talking, even as the dishes were cleared and tab was paid.
The service was excellent, marred only when as we were finally ready to order, our waiter was caught up in some snafu and left us waiting more, until a secondary person was sent to take our order. Otherwise, the service was professional, prompt, efficient, and friendly without being overly friendly. The waiters seemed to take pride in their jobs, and made the meal all that much more comfortable.
Additional comments - the bathrooms, located in the basement, were clean and decorated to fit the rest of the restaurant - not huge or overly ambitious but with enough character to be memorable. I've never seen a black commode before. The restaurant's space was surprisingly shallow, but the mirrors situated as such one had to look twice to realize that the room was merely half the size it appeared to be. The other patrons were all dressed well and to the nines, and it was obviously a place for special dining and special occasions.
We went there for an adult feeling, and certainly got it, much more so than your usual hippest of the moment trendy restaurant. No attitude, just class. The food was good, high quality, but I admit to being spoiled enough with great food that it did not knock my socks off. But it was classy, and maybe that was enough so as to not detract from whatever special occasion was being celebrated.
Went there for a special celebratory dinner - my husband and I are both licensed professionals now, and our companion couple just got engaged. I picked the restaurant having fantasized about dining in such a beautifully decorated building that Petrossian is housed in. Was glad to have finally gotten the opportunity. It was also Restaurant Week in NYC, in which Petrossian was participating, so we had a nice alternative to the normally extremely pricey entrees.
The place was livelier than I thought it would be, having seen not only it's reputation as a high class French restaurant and the old establishment decor. Perhaps it was the Restaurant Week, because we went on a Tuesday evening and it was loud, lively, and full - but not so full as to make us uncomfortable.
The decor was a muted pink, darkened lighting, Art Deco-style. We sat near the entrance, and so missed the mirrors over the bar that were etched in huge Erte figures. Sad for me as I really like Erte's art. The tables were beautifully and simply set in white, silver and blue and the high fluted champagne glasses insisted we order champagne, which we obliged. A toast of champagne we followed by our order. The female friend and I ordered from the less expensive $35 prix fixe menu with the caviar supplement (additional $16), getting the caviar appetizer, and I got the duck while she ordered the halibut. The men ordered from the other prix fixe menu ($65) which came with its own caviar appetizer, then scallops and foie gras served warm (a surprise), and they both got the same seared coriander-encrusted tuna entree. The desserts were varied, and my comment on my blueberry and citrus dessert was "It tastes like it looks." which unfortunately was not a compliment, more a disappointment. We ordered coffee, cappuccinos and espresso to accompany the desserts. Our reservation was at 7pm, and we did not leave until 11pm, so kudos to the staff for not bothering us as we sat there talking and talking, even as the dishes were cleared and tab was paid.
The service was excellent, marred only when as we were finally ready to order, our waiter was caught up in some snafu and left us waiting more, until a secondary person was sent to take our order. Otherwise, the service was professional, prompt, efficient, and friendly without being overly friendly. The waiters seemed to take pride in their jobs, and made the meal all that much more comfortable.
Additional comments - the bathrooms, located in the basement, were clean and decorated to fit the rest of the restaurant - not huge or overly ambitious but with enough character to be memorable. I've never seen a black commode before. The restaurant's space was surprisingly shallow, but the mirrors situated as such one had to look twice to realize that the room was merely half the size it appeared to be. The other patrons were all dressed well and to the nines, and it was obviously a place for special dining and special occasions.
We went there for an adult feeling, and certainly got it, much more so than your usual hippest of the moment trendy restaurant. No attitude, just class. The food was good, high quality, but I admit to being spoiled enough with great food that it did not knock my socks off. But it was classy, and maybe that was enough so as to not detract from whatever special occasion was being celebrated.
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
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
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
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