Holyland Market

REVIEW

February 19, 2010


CUISINE: Middle Eastern
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village

 

122 St. Marks Pl. at Ave. A

(p) 212-477-4440

 

I rarely make it to alphabet city, so I haven’t really explored the neighborhood’s culinary offerings as much as Nolita, where I live.  But on Monday, when I wasn’t working (happy b-day Washington!), I went to get some film developed on Avenue A, and found myself with time to kill.

 

One of the reasons I love New York is that you can easily discover a new place, stumble upon a hidden treasure that will end up becoming one of your go-to joints. I walked by Holyland Market on St. Marks Place once without noticing it, and it wasn’t until the second round that I peered through the window and saw the trays of bourekas. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 19, 2010 5:18pm by Rachel Hochhauser | 0 comments





Dos Toros

REVIEW

January 18, 2010


CUISINE: Mexican
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village, Flatiron/Union Square

Photo: NYtimes

137 Fourth Ave. at 13th St.

(p) 212-677-7300

 

After years of listening to my southern and northern California friends argue about which area has real Mexican food, one of them did something to back up all the talk. Along with his brother Leo, our friend Oliver Kremer opened Dos Toros in the tiny space on 4th Avenue which many of us fondly remember as Tasti D-Lite.  Modeled after one of their favorite taquerias in the Bay Area, the brothers hope to "Change New York's Burrito Landscape."  CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on January 18, 2010 2:01pm by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment





The Smith

REVIEW

July 23, 2009


CUISINE: American (New), American (Traditional), Burgers
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village

 

55 3rd Avenue btwn 10th and 11th St.

(p) 212-420-9800

 

Save yourself an hour and a half, take $25 from your wallet, and give it to a homeless person. The Smith has a nice atmosphere: high ceilings, subway tiled walls, rustic sconces, wooden walls. On the downside, the space is huge, and the combination of music and chatter make it difficult to hear yourself speak. At 8 pm on a Saturday night, our party of four instantly scored a booth adjacent to the bar, yet it took nearly 15 minutes for our beers to find us. And the food was mediocre in every way. Medium rare burgers came out burnt; buns were forgettable, condiments were poor, and the "special sauce" revealed itself to be none other than russian dressing. The only thing remarkable about the plate was the $14 price tag...

 


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Posted in FOOD on July 23, 2009 9:18am by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment





Mermaid Inn

REVIEW

July 17, 2009


CUISINE: American (Traditional), Seafood
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village

 

 

96 Second Ave between 5th and 6th Streets

(p) 212-674-5870

 

Only having seen the Mermaid Inn from the sidewalk, it was a delightful surprise to discover that the restaurant is comprised of four different sections, each with their own ambiance.  The front room is your typical New York restaurant, complete with a bar and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the outdoor sidewalk seating.  For those that want to avoid the bustle of Second Avenue, just walk past the kitchen.  You'll be transported to a restaurant reminiscent of northeastern beach towns, including a complementary outdoor garden.

 


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Posted in FOOD on July 17, 2009 2:40pm by Madeline | 0 comments





Bianca

REVIEW

July 8, 2009


CUISINE: Italian
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village, Noho, Nolita

 

5 Bleeker Street at Bowery

(p) 212-260-4666

 

Considering the high-quality of the food combined with the charming atmosphere, the prices at Bianca are shockingly low. Pastas are all under $12 and there isn't a protein dish that exceeds $15. The tiny space is country-chic with homey porcelain plates displayed on wooden shelves. Low-lighting, along with wooden floors and brick walls keeps the vibe cool and fresh.  As for the food, the menu hits many favorites, including a savory tagliatelle alla bolegnese, traditional Roman meat lasagna, and a simple spaghettini with tomato and basil.  The gramigna pasta with crumbled sausage and red bell pepper is one of our favorites, packed with a little heat, but mild enough to lure anyone with a salty appetite. The only downside to this cozy spot is the no-reservation and no-credit card policy. But there is a solution! While waiting for a table, we recommend uncorking a bottle of wine at the bar next door. The drinks (and tab) can be transferred to Bianca once you score a seat.

 


Posted in FOOD on July 8, 2009 2:19pm by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments