La Vineria

Came here to celebrate a much improved LSAT score. Great neighborhood place with nicely prepared food. For a sit down Italian restaurant- it really is not expensive. We were lucky we were only two- we got seated immediately on a Saturday night. Others in larger groups had to wait (unfortunately they crowded around the front of the tiny restaurant, where our table was located) Excellent service and pleasant ambiance besides the people waiting, it does make a great date. According to the recent Times review they make their own pasta, and that was what drew me in. I enjoyed the pasta with veal sauce and would recommend it as a perfect balance between choosing from their meat dishes or getting pasta. They have also been awarded for their wine list, we were lauded for our choice of red- La Planeta, which went well with the meal.


737 9th Ave

Sip Sak

Despite no bellydancing, hookahs, or whatever fun middle eastern gimmicks-my friends and I really enjoyed this classy-casual, not too expensive Turkish restaurant. Some of these friends have sensitive stomachs and palates (superlame, yes this puts a strain on our friendships), yet everyone enjoyed their food here.
I have found no truth to the rumors that the owner here is awful; all the staff was really friendly to us even after a rowdy discussion about sharting that disturbed other diners AND even after we broke a wine bottle on the floor (turkish wine, worth trying).
I love the manti- dumpling things in a yogurt sauce and the lamb pizza. A lamb special entree was also good- and huge. We also enjoyed a grilled octupus appetizer even though the portion was really small.

recommendation if there is a wait: We enjoyed a happy hour with some decent mojitos and margaritas across the street while waiting for our table.


928 2nd Ave

Cheburechnaya Inc

Conveniently located around the corner to the worst Social Security office in all of the boroughs, this place can offer a comfort after the hours of waiting for your appointment.

I usually order things to go here and don't have to wait especially long.You must order the samcy with rib. Its very filling and the pastry and meat inside are both delicious, just pick out the fat.
The typical bread- noni toki, doesn't look like much but it has a great flavor.
Chebureki are the popular fried and filled savory pastries. I once ordered a meat cheburkeki and found the meat nauseatingly undercooked. The cabbage is best, followed by mushroom.
The green pilaf is very good.
They have a great selection of grilled meats, complete with lamb testicles and heart.

Visit the grocery store next to the restaurant and get some crazy Eastern European beer to go with your meal.


9209 63rd Dr

Thái Son

I enjoy this Viet resaurant a great deal. The pho was yumz and large for 550. But the most notable dish was a special written on the wall- house special clams. Maybe the best asian style clams I have ever had: brown sauce, with tomatoes, a little sweet, tangy- amazing!

89 Baxter St

The Soup Spot

The soups are pretty stellar as well as convenient in this less than stellar neighborhood. The small is a great snack for 3.50 with the bread and an orange; its like your mommy packed you a lunch with all the food groups. They have a great variety for such a little place. On a nice, not too hot day I recommend grabbing a soup and sitting on the post office steps. The bisques are very good. I had an enjoyable spicy crab and corn soup today. The gazpacho isn't anything exciting, but gazpacho is never ever bad unless made with salmonella tomatoes, and its the appropriate summer alternative to the hot soups.

Lezzette Mediterranean Cucina

Lezzette's is good, but nothing to write home about. The food is on the pricey side, but at least its fresh. I usually stick with the salad bar when I am needing a healthy lunch of a few selections including, tabbouleh, feta cheese, chicken, and nice pasta salads. Its up to about $6 a pound now, I can usually get by with around $6 worth of food. They throw in 2 pieces of bad bread, how sweet of them. Although I wouldn't rave about Lezzette's, I would be sad to see it go.


369 W 34th St