Cozy pub with a decent list of draft house beer. Come in to taste a light apricot ale or whatever is in season or dive in to a oatmeal stout that leaves your taste buds with a touch of chocolate essence.
In the dimmed dinning area, share your most extravagant experiences and ideas with your friends or even a perfect stranger. Order a couple of dishes to share or something hearty to fill your void.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bond 45/ Je Bon
As a friend of mine takes me to two different restaurants to show me service from no service, I slowly recognize the slight difference of what a good restaurant experience should be like.
After taking a seat at the bar in Bond 45 we were greeted by the bartender who asked us what we would like to drink and provided us with menus. Right away, we were all on first name bases and we were addressed as if they met us before. As more people entered the restaurant, the atmosphere become more lively but still maintained its warmth. The sushi chef and the bartender continued to make the way around the bar having small talk with all the customers. While the bartender ventures into unknown territory creating basil martini and kiwi martinis the sushi chef is molding edible art right before your eyes.
On the other hand, at Je Bon, the experience was slightly awkward. Although the environment had potential to be cozy, the bartenders appeared to be less charismatic. With clients at the bar, they were zapping flies with a electronic fly swatter that looked like a tennis rackt. I watched them kill a fly right next to a flask of saki which they later on served after checking that there were no dead flies. While one of the bartenders were assisting clients and staring out into space, the other one appeared to be engaged in a conversation at the bar with a few friends flauting her flare and stroking her own ego. So if you decide to visit this place, make sure you get a seat in the dining area and stay away from the bar until they undergo re-structing.
After taking a seat at the bar in Bond 45 we were greeted by the bartender who asked us what we would like to drink and provided us with menus. Right away, we were all on first name bases and we were addressed as if they met us before. As more people entered the restaurant, the atmosphere become more lively but still maintained its warmth. The sushi chef and the bartender continued to make the way around the bar having small talk with all the customers. While the bartender ventures into unknown territory creating basil martini and kiwi martinis the sushi chef is molding edible art right before your eyes.
On the other hand, at Je Bon, the experience was slightly awkward. Although the environment had potential to be cozy, the bartenders appeared to be less charismatic. With clients at the bar, they were zapping flies with a electronic fly swatter that looked like a tennis rackt. I watched them kill a fly right next to a flask of saki which they later on served after checking that there were no dead flies. While one of the bartenders were assisting clients and staring out into space, the other one appeared to be engaged in a conversation at the bar with a few friends flauting her flare and stroking her own ego. So if you decide to visit this place, make sure you get a seat in the dining area and stay away from the bar until they undergo re-structing.
East Buffet and Restaurant
When you're hungry and can't wait to eat this is the place for you. Eat all you can in 90 minutes or less. So bring your tums and be ready for indigestion if you are unlucky.
As you enter the dining area you are quickly transported to a different world. The hostess seats you and writes the time on a slip of paper and you are released to gather food. The buffet tables are filled with various vegetables and meats while one one side you have a lady in a chef hat serving Peking Duck. Each order is made upon request so you tell her how many you want and she will arrange it on a plate for you. As you walk further down you will see the sushi chefs on the left and a sea of desserts on the right. From mango and coconut pudding, small variety of fruits, various sweet soups to American style pastries.
Although the selection is decent, I was a bit disappointed with the quality and freshness of the food. The service was very cold and tables were not cleared frequently. So after a few servings, you are left with a pile of dirty plate on your table. Once your time is up, your waitress comes to your table and advise you that is time to go and leaves you with the bill. Also, to ensure that they receive gratuity they have already charged it on to the bill, so no matter how discontent you are with their service, there is no way to show your discontent.
As you enter the dining area you are quickly transported to a different world. The hostess seats you and writes the time on a slip of paper and you are released to gather food. The buffet tables are filled with various vegetables and meats while one one side you have a lady in a chef hat serving Peking Duck. Each order is made upon request so you tell her how many you want and she will arrange it on a plate for you. As you walk further down you will see the sushi chefs on the left and a sea of desserts on the right. From mango and coconut pudding, small variety of fruits, various sweet soups to American style pastries.
Although the selection is decent, I was a bit disappointed with the quality and freshness of the food. The service was very cold and tables were not cleared frequently. So after a few servings, you are left with a pile of dirty plate on your table. Once your time is up, your waitress comes to your table and advise you that is time to go and leaves you with the bill. Also, to ensure that they receive gratuity they have already charged it on to the bill, so no matter how discontent you are with their service, there is no way to show your discontent.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Soba-ya
If you're feeling lost and hungry, this may be your place to go. Nestled between 2nd and 3rd ave on 9th street, this Japanese focus on mastering the art of soba. Although their signature dish is their delicious buckwheat noodles, they also serve a variety of other noodles such as Ramen and Udon.
Once your in this restaurant you know that you can finally relax and feel at home in this cozy restaurant. So take a deep breath and enjoy the experience of eating healthy.
Once your in this restaurant you know that you can finally relax and feel at home in this cozy restaurant. So take a deep breath and enjoy the experience of eating healthy.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Nice Bar- High Bar
After getting ditched by two of my friends I decided to continue with my plan of checking out High Bar near Times Square. A little club nestled in the middle of Manhattan on the 16th floor, also known as the pent house, of what appeared to be an apartment building. Although this is not the typical view of Manhattan one would expect it was still a view after all. While various remixes of tango music played in the background men and women gathered on the dance floor showing off their most complex moves. For those who were less interested in showing off there were beds and couches where they could lay an
d sit to share their dar
kest secrets and most intimate thoughts.Since I haven't been to too many nice bars in the city I will be grading more leniently on this one. Overall I would say that this is four out of five stars.
So if you want to take a special someone on a date or would like to have a more peaceful view of the city, this would be a great place to go. The best part about this place is that the people are friendly and not pretentious so you can finally relax, grab a drink, and enjoy.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Just a Beginning
Living in Manhattan for three years I am almost shy to say that I have not experienced much of what it has to offer. As a new addition to the big apple, there is so much to adapt to that oftentimes you lose sight of the actual beauty and bliss of the city. No wonder this was once voted the place where most tourists get heart attacks. But when you have the time to relax and enjoy the city, it actually has a lot to offer.
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