::PepperBlog::
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mini thai cafe
location: 105. avenue a. new york. ny.
phone: 212.533.2928
thai, east village, inexpensive, cozy
not sure why many have not heard of this restaurant. there is not much to write about this one because it is not one of those classy places, but definitely the one that i would go on a regular basis because it is inexpensive, the food is tasty, and the service is friendly. they do have some specials, but most of the time, i pick from their regular menu and almost all their dishes are less than $9. and it features the regular fare you look for in a thai restaurant - green curry, red curry, penang curry, pad thai, etc.
fyi: there is a karaoke bar down the street that you may want to try!
location: 105. avenue a. new york. ny.
phone: 212.533.2928
thai, east village, inexpensive, cozy
not sure why many have not heard of this restaurant. there is not much to write about this one because it is not one of those classy places, but definitely the one that i would go on a regular basis because it is inexpensive, the food is tasty, and the service is friendly. they do have some specials, but most of the time, i pick from their regular menu and almost all their dishes are less than $9. and it features the regular fare you look for in a thai restaurant - green curry, red curry, penang curry, pad thai, etc.
fyi: there is a karaoke bar down the street that you may want to try!
mancora
location: 99. 1st avenue. new york. ny. 10003.
phone: 212.253.1011
peruvian, seafood, east village, moderate price, friendly service, tropical ambience
'mancora' is the village counterpart of the namesake on smith street, brooklyn. the menu features ceviches, sea food, and meat dishes. despite the fact that the menu said 'spicy', i did not find the food all that spicy. nevertheless delicious. the portions are generous and normally features rice, so you can defintely fill it up. the service was extra friendly, but not patronizing. the striking feature of this restaurant is of course, the ambience. a decent attempt at creating a pseudo-fisherman's shack on a beach, with murals, fishnets, blue sky rooftop, and jelly fish carvings on the pillars giving life to this place. so much life that sometimes its hard to hear what your friend is talking at the table.
overall, mancora is good and brownie points galore for the super-friendly service.
fyi: whilst here go check out some drag queens at 'lucky chengs'
location: 99. 1st avenue. new york. ny. 10003.
phone: 212.253.1011
peruvian, seafood, east village, moderate price, friendly service, tropical ambience
'mancora' is the village counterpart of the namesake on smith street, brooklyn. the menu features ceviches, sea food, and meat dishes. despite the fact that the menu said 'spicy', i did not find the food all that spicy. nevertheless delicious. the portions are generous and normally features rice, so you can defintely fill it up. the service was extra friendly, but not patronizing. the striking feature of this restaurant is of course, the ambience. a decent attempt at creating a pseudo-fisherman's shack on a beach, with murals, fishnets, blue sky rooftop, and jelly fish carvings on the pillars giving life to this place. so much life that sometimes its hard to hear what your friend is talking at the table.
overall, mancora is good and brownie points galore for the super-friendly service.
fyi: whilst here go check out some drag queens at 'lucky chengs'
flea market cafe
location: 131. avenue a. ny.
phone: 212.358.9280
french, bistro, cozy, outdoors, wine, excellent food, moderate price
located right across tomkins square park, surrounded by cafes, and bars, this french bistro has a certain character and appeal to it that makes you stay there chatting after your dinner. whilst the cozy ambience is a contributing factor, their food is the overriding factor. one word: butter. the special that i tried was a medium rare tuna steak served on a bed of fresh veggies with a side of shallot-cream sauce. another item - 'poulet basquaise'- was curried chicken with red peppers served on a bed of fried rice. both these items were par excellent, and filling.
what could be annoying is that the service tends to get slow. there are only about 6 seats that i noticed outdoors. and of course, it accepts only cash and amex.
fyi: close to tomkins sqaure park and a ton of bars.
location: 131. avenue a. ny.
phone: 212.358.9280
french, bistro, cozy, outdoors, wine, excellent food, moderate price
located right across tomkins square park, surrounded by cafes, and bars, this french bistro has a certain character and appeal to it that makes you stay there chatting after your dinner. whilst the cozy ambience is a contributing factor, their food is the overriding factor. one word: butter. the special that i tried was a medium rare tuna steak served on a bed of fresh veggies with a side of shallot-cream sauce. another item - 'poulet basquaise'- was curried chicken with red peppers served on a bed of fried rice. both these items were par excellent, and filling.
what could be annoying is that the service tends to get slow. there are only about 6 seats that i noticed outdoors. and of course, it accepts only cash and amex.
fyi: close to tomkins sqaure park and a ton of bars.
bella via
location: 47-46. vernon boulevard (at 48th avenue). long island city. Queens.
phone: 718.361.7510
italian, thin-crust brick oven pizzas, long island city, moderately priced
okay... i admit again that i left manhattan to pick a pizza place. 'bella via' is not extraordinary, but can definitely claim to be one of the best pizzas in Queens. the '4 stagioini' or the 'four seasons' pie had all the elements of all the seasons in it. the thin-crust and non-greasy pie was a delicious alternative to the more filling pasta choices.
what i did observe was that it was not crazy with people in it, but kind of quiet and bright. i would not consider this to be a romantic restaurant. it is definitely worth the trip if you are in the area.
fyi: ps1 summer party and the 'moma' are close by, plus some of the most dramatic and beautiful skyline views of manhattan.
location: 47-46. vernon boulevard (at 48th avenue). long island city. Queens.
phone: 718.361.7510
italian, thin-crust brick oven pizzas, long island city, moderately priced
okay... i admit again that i left manhattan to pick a pizza place. 'bella via' is not extraordinary, but can definitely claim to be one of the best pizzas in Queens. the '4 stagioini' or the 'four seasons' pie had all the elements of all the seasons in it. the thin-crust and non-greasy pie was a delicious alternative to the more filling pasta choices.
what i did observe was that it was not crazy with people in it, but kind of quiet and bright. i would not consider this to be a romantic restaurant. it is definitely worth the trip if you are in the area.
fyi: ps1 summer party and the 'moma' are close by, plus some of the most dramatic and beautiful skyline views of manhattan.
roomali
location: 97. lexington avenue (27th street). ny. 10016.
phone: 212.679.8900
indian fast food, indian wraps/rolls, grilled meat, spice chai, curry hill, inexpensive
indian fast food restaurants have been coming for a long time in the city. this started off with the 'kati roll', and 'indian bread factory, in the west village. [let me know if there are others in the city]. however, 'roomali' stands apart because it is competing head on against some long standing heavy weights in the indian food arena of 'curry hill'. you can find a small, but adequate range of wraps in this tiny little joint. each item is well prepared, wrapped/rolled in an indian bread, with the obvious coating of mint chutney. some may deem it too spicy, so get the sauce on the side if you are one of them. of course, they have the indian staple 'tika masala' and 'aloo (potato)' stuffed items as well. if you are carb-conscious, you have the choice of getting it on a platter too.
overall this place is good with tasty eats and decent service. the negative aspect is loud music. you may even get the feeling of being in a tea shop in india.
fyi: recommendations include 'aloo roll', with 'adraki masala chai'.
location: 97. lexington avenue (27th street). ny. 10016.
phone: 212.679.8900
indian fast food, indian wraps/rolls, grilled meat, spice chai, curry hill, inexpensive
indian fast food restaurants have been coming for a long time in the city. this started off with the 'kati roll', and 'indian bread factory, in the west village. [let me know if there are others in the city]. however, 'roomali' stands apart because it is competing head on against some long standing heavy weights in the indian food arena of 'curry hill'. you can find a small, but adequate range of wraps in this tiny little joint. each item is well prepared, wrapped/rolled in an indian bread, with the obvious coating of mint chutney. some may deem it too spicy, so get the sauce on the side if you are one of them. of course, they have the indian staple 'tika masala' and 'aloo (potato)' stuffed items as well. if you are carb-conscious, you have the choice of getting it on a platter too.
overall this place is good with tasty eats and decent service. the negative aspect is loud music. you may even get the feeling of being in a tea shop in india.
fyi: recommendations include 'aloo roll', with 'adraki masala chai'.
mustang grill
location: 1633. 2nd avenue. new york. ny. 10028
phone: 212.744.9194
tex-mex, southwestern, frozen drinks, pumpkin muffins, upper east side, moderate price
this upper east side joint has a range of patrons from eaters, drinkers, cigar lovers, to karaoke singers. friendly staff are ready to seat you inside or outside on the sidewalk. while the selection of entrees is pretty wide, my personal way of eating there is to order a margarita, and a couple of appetizers. believe me, it is filling. the 'honey pecan-crusted chicken' is one of their best, but my favorite is the 'pan seared salmon veracruz' with olives, spinach, and fresh herbs.
the only point of botheration is that it could get really loud - with some annoying karaoke voices. occasionally, the waiters tend to be slow because of the range of people that visit this restaurant.
fyi: ask for the pumpkin muffins for munchies, and the 'sweet corn tamale' for appetizer.
location: 1633. 2nd avenue. new york. ny. 10028
phone: 212.744.9194
tex-mex, southwestern, frozen drinks, pumpkin muffins, upper east side, moderate price
this upper east side joint has a range of patrons from eaters, drinkers, cigar lovers, to karaoke singers. friendly staff are ready to seat you inside or outside on the sidewalk. while the selection of entrees is pretty wide, my personal way of eating there is to order a margarita, and a couple of appetizers. believe me, it is filling. the 'honey pecan-crusted chicken' is one of their best, but my favorite is the 'pan seared salmon veracruz' with olives, spinach, and fresh herbs.
the only point of botheration is that it could get really loud - with some annoying karaoke voices. occasionally, the waiters tend to be slow because of the range of people that visit this restaurant.
fyi: ask for the pumpkin muffins for munchies, and the 'sweet corn tamale' for appetizer.
three of cups
location: 83. 1st avenue (5th street). new york. ny
phone: 212.388.0059
italian, brick-oven pizzas, friendly, cozy, romantic, east village, moderate price
this 'sicilian kitchen' is home for high-quality brick oven pizzas. the pasta and secondi menu are stellar with a choice of meat, fish and vegetarian. recommedations include 'ravioli del giorno' and 'pollo rosmarino'. the setup is spacious (for east village standards) and cozy making it more private for romantic endeavors! it also has interesting hangings on the brick wall with dim lights that enhances the spirits! if you are waiting for a table, you can either grab a glass of wine from their bar, or a beer from their 'lounge' downstairs.
overall, 'three of cups' stands up to its good food, good wine, and good friends!
fyi: walk down for a coffee at the several joints on alphabet avenues.
location: 83. 1st avenue (5th street). new york. ny
phone: 212.388.0059
italian, brick-oven pizzas, friendly, cozy, romantic, east village, moderate price
this 'sicilian kitchen' is home for high-quality brick oven pizzas. the pasta and secondi menu are stellar with a choice of meat, fish and vegetarian. recommedations include 'ravioli del giorno' and 'pollo rosmarino'. the setup is spacious (for east village standards) and cozy making it more private for romantic endeavors! it also has interesting hangings on the brick wall with dim lights that enhances the spirits! if you are waiting for a table, you can either grab a glass of wine from their bar, or a beer from their 'lounge' downstairs.
overall, 'three of cups' stands up to its good food, good wine, and good friends!
fyi: walk down for a coffee at the several joints on alphabet avenues.
