maya

I only went for cocktails and to visit a friend working the bar, but I tried an appetizer anyway. I nibbled on the Cigares De Crevette (Spicy Shrimp Cigar with Spinach and Feta Cheese). The sauce was of the thousand island variety and unimpressive. As for the fried turd? I would prefer to put my the $12 I spent on it up my arse. I may give the place another go, but I would have to be very drunk first.

I rarely dine on steak these days, but when I do, it had better be worth the inevitable belly buster I suffer after.

The bordello motif of this strip joint was worth this steak devouring occasion. I had the jumbo scallops, the filet mignon and black truffle creamed spinach. It was all good, the service was superb, but the only reason I would return (wearing a velvet suit with matching wide-brimmed fedora) is for the red wall decor…

It’s 3a: I’ve been drinking and dancing and dancing and drinking and need a feed for something that doesn’t involve cheese. Two dogs with the lot at a buck twenty-five a piece? Hells yeah. Sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, yum bun. Slurrrp.

There are too few places that serve okonimiyaki, and even fewer do it well. This is not one of those places. Japanese food that hits the spot. (As do the prices.)

This was the only place where I could get a decent reservation at the last minute. The service was good and the seared scallops were fine, but nothing special. The best thing about dinner was the cappuccino and the bricks. I like bricks.

My new favourite restaurant.

It’s not often you come across a really good restaurant in the West Village that isn’t full of itself. Smorgas is perfectly situated, unpretentious, and can boast a genuinely friendly & attentive wait staff.

The menu is great because it offers small plates for grazers like me, as well as a fantastic selection of tempting and immaculately presented entrees.

Oh, and the coffee is superb too.

The food is just as delicious here as it is downtown and the staff are equally as attentive. Unfortunately, the espresso falls short and the atmosphere is different. Let’s just say both suit their respective neighbourhoods.

their brunch is terrific. dinner? NOT SO MUCH.

i’ve been here twice for brunch with friends and family visiting from overseas and it’s a great spot by the park. i wouldn’t hesitate to introduce anyone else to their brunch menu.

unfortunately i made the mistake of trying dinner here and while the oysters rockefeller wasn’t bad, the scallops i had was a chore to work through. despite the strips of perfectly cooked and flavorful bacon, nothing could save it. and certainly not the CELERY PUREE.

oh, and the service left a lot to be desired too. sure he was polite, but it’s difficult to be rude when you’re mostly absent.

one star for the waitstaff who weren’t terrible, otherwise, this place offered quite possibly the worst meal i’ve ever had to endure in manhattan.

we ordered porterhouse for two, but honestly, if i could have those 2 hours of my life back, i would rather have that cow eat me than subject my taste buds to that woeful excuse of a meal. i’ve tasted better steak from places that offer coupons.

c’mon, really?

Midtown Manhattan isn’t always the sexiest place to be, but with a great atmosphere, good drinks and a superb serving of mini burgers using Wagyu beef, Icon makes for a perfect happy hour and after-work feed.