Vice Magazine Inc
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Fashion District

122 W 27th St Fl 11
New York, NY 10001

Furyk C. writes: Old Vice (before they got taken over by the corporate world and started pairing with the likes of MTV, when they where still available free in about 20 locations in the city, when they where still edgy and raw, when they included stickers and had the…

Rice Thai Kitchen
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope

311 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Ben W. writes: I love this place. I've been coming here since I moved to Brooklyn in 2001 and the food is phenomenal, although I always call it just "Rice" or "Park Slope Rice." Not to be confused with the Rice chain in DUMBO and the East Village.

There are so…

Ursus Books
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper East Side

981 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10021

Sooj O. writes: First off, please note that the current address for Ursus Books is:

981 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021

Ursus Books, and their once sister store Archivia, specialize in high end art, architecture, photography, fashion, and interior design.

How high end…

Grand Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

310 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013

Victor L. writes: This lounge is ridiculously uppity, but its sick. The people are attractive, well dressed, the drinks are expensive (nothing like a sharp Hendricks martini to send you to the ATM afterward) and well, its just one of those places to go to feel like…

El Cocotero
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Chelsea

228 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011

Soozie H. writes: My SO and I always have a tough time come dinner time figuring out what's our craving and where to eat.  Welp, my SO stumbled upon this VERY cute place while surfing the Net and suggested we go try it since it was 1) in my hood, 2) inexpensive & 3)…

Camp

179 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Peter K. writes: Walking up and down Smith Street, S & I were intrigued, entering a bar that seemed different from your standard Irish pub. It looked like summer camp sans poison ivy, sleeping bags, pedophilic counselors, "Crystal Lake"* and mosquitoes.

We sat down at…

American Apparel
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

1841 Broadway
New York, NY 10023

Eric P. writes: I really love the aesthetic of these stores. Personally, it's a great place for undergarments, yoga clothes, and those trendy low-v-neck tees.

Also, a really cute guy works at this one. Skinny white guy, glasses. Another good reason to come back ;-)

Aliada Restaurant
Neighborhood: Queens/Long Island City

2919 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11106

Frank W. writes: Everything I've ever tried is good here.  The roasted hallami, spinach pie, and crab cakes are a few of the many good appetizers.  Salads are also good.  I generally have gone for meat or fish and have not been disappointed, but I also hear the…

Barramundi
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Lower East Side

67 Clinton St
Between Rivington St & Stanton St
New York, NY 10002

Nadja M. writes: I'd like to say right off the bat that this review would be so much better if the bartender HAD been a transvestite.  But, she wasn't...and isn't.  I'll leave it at that (please let me back into your bar).

This is a standard dive.  A standard dive…

BLT Burger
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village

470 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10010

cassandra n. writes: There are about a million places in NYC to get a burger.  Everyone has their favorites.  BLT Burger is one of mine.  

I always get the (signature?) BLT Burger, sans condiments (every burger comes with mayo, mustard and ketchup), a side of fries and a…

Penzey's Spices
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

42nd St at Madison Ave
Grand Central Market
New York, NY 10018

Barbara C. writes: What a great little setup!  After wandering past the other glories of the Grand Central Market, I was happy to come across Penzey's Spices.  My aunt in Texas has been sending me their spices every Christmas for years.  At first, (you know when I was…

Eleni's Cookies in Chelsea Market
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Meatpacking District, Manhattan/Chelsea

Chelsea Market
75 9th Ave
New York, NY 10011

Rocky P. writes: I digust myself. Tonight, I spent $8 at Eleni's on cupcakes. Aww, that's not so bad, Rocky, why so hard on yourself?

Because I spent $8 at approximately 7:30. And if you've read any of the other reviews here, you'd know that after 6pm, cupcakes (and…

Chef Central

45 South Central Ave
Hartsdale, NY 10530

aaron z. writes: Great store for a chef or wannabe chef. The only downside is the price of everything, but you can definitely find some bargains if you look closely. I love the wall of kitchen utensils which never seems to end or the sauces/marinades and spices…

Bahia Restaurant & Cafe
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

690 Grand St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

joe r. writes: Papusas are a gift from the Gods.  Hermes maybe.  Because he is the messenger of the gods and papusas are a messenger from my tongue to my brain saying "YEAH THIS IS AWESOME."

Graziella's
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn/Fort Greene

232 Vanderbilt Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Michael B. writes: Sometimes I eat a little something that makes me so happy I do a little food dance, which includes a little to medium ass-shakin.

Such is what occurred yesterday evening, on the roof deck of Graziella's. A roof deck gets me half way there anyway, in…

Vamoose Bus

353 W 31st St
New York, NY 10001

Maria M. writes: My mom says I am a total prima-donna, and one of the reasons is because I HATE taking the bus.  It's just, um, how shall I put it nicely....NOT for me.  I think it's low-budget.....OK, OK, she calls me "caquera", which in English means "full of…

Irish Hunger Memorial

Vesey Street / North End Avenue
New York, NY 10282

Daniel X. writes: I think I came here around '03 or '04 when a newly immigrated cousin of mine wanted to visit Ground Zero. I forgot how we ended up here, but the visit is worth it.

This is a seriously, seriously beautiful place. On ground level, it appears very modern…

Louis Vuitton
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East

1 E 57th St
New York, NY 10022

bO w. writes: I lost contact with Louis after college, because
I couldn't find a sugar daddy when my real daddy cut me off.
I'm stuck with Kooba now.
Kooba is cool...but
this whole independent thing is exhausting.

Baumgarts

45 E Palisade Ave
Englewood, NJ 07631

Oliver T. writes: Baumgarts in Englewood is a must go to, if you're looking for deserts!
My personal favorite here - Death by Chocolate

Baumgarts later opened another location in Edgewater. I was excited at the opening of Baumgart's Cafe in City Place, since I was…

Swallow
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Gowanus

361 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Kate B. writes: If a Godspeed You Black Emperor! song materialized and grew into a store, this would be it.

Swallow is full of moody, intricate treasures. There's an emphasis on the elements. Wood, metal, water, air.

Yesterday, my partner in crime and I decided to…

The Sparrow
Neighborhood: Queens/Long Island City

2401 29th St
Astoria, NY 11102

Jason D. writes: Neighborhood residents and adventurous non-Astorian drink-seekers alike may remember fondly an astoundingly awesome corner bar on 34th Avenue called Tupelo.  Many were saddened when several years ago, it was closed to make way for a…

Kyotofu
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Hell's Kitchen

705 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019

Srini V. writes: Great dessert destination with a difference!  

As we walked in, I was amazed by the contemporary look, including the kitchen with glass walls, the swanky seating and the dimmed lights.  The dessert choices were all healthy sounding (sic!) and…

Red Rock West
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Chelsea

457 W 17th St Frnt
New York, NY 10011

peter d. writes: Ah, Red Rock.

As soon as we walked in, a girl got topless on the bar. The bartenders licked tequila off some older women. There was bar dancing, loud music, lighting the bar on fire, etc. The place was definitely rowdy. [This is the part where I…

Pencil Factory
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Greenpoint

142 Franklin St
Brooklyn, NY 11222

Danielle C. writes: The name of this place suits it well. Its a factory of all people who look the exact same. (I'm still adjusting to the hipster scene if you couldn't tell)

This place reminded me of a ski lodge with the wood floors and dim lights. I felt like my ass…

Wine Library

8 Millburn Ave
Springfield, NJ 07081

Tom D. writes: Vanerwhat?!?!

Who is Gary Vanerchuk? That is VAY NUR CHUCK......according to wikipedia:

Gary Vaynerchuk was born in Babruysk, U.S.S.R. (today Belarus) on November 14, 1975 and came to America in 1978. He is the Director of Operations at the Wine…

PURE Body Arts
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Williamsburg - South Side

142 Havemeyer St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Rebecca S. writes: Brian is the most knowledgable piercer that I've ever met. Fabulous work, and takes the time to explain everything that he is doing. His place is also more sterile than any doctor's office I've ever been to.  He does great custom work too. Anything…

Barnes & Noble Main Store
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Gramercy-Flatiron, Manhattan/Union Square

105 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10003

Tony L. writes: Every now and then you come across a chain store worth writing about.  This Barnes & Noble is one of them.  Unlike the BN in Astor Place or in the UWS, this BN doesn't have a coffee shop or decorated with mass produced ink murals.  It's got a mamma…

The Bagel Zone
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village

50 Avenue A
New York, NY 10009

Drew B. writes: i'm on a 5-star review kick.  i will only review places which are EXCEPTIONAL in one or more categories and will knock your socks off.

to add to this list, BAGEL ZONE.

i actually remember when this place started out.  Al (owner) was super-cool (i think…

San Soo Kap San
Neighborhood: Queens/Auburndale

17110 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11358

Peter K. writes: Since I'm finding more Korean restaurants in Flushing these days, I started to become curious of the meanings behind these restaurants.

So it's time for a short Korean lesson.
San = mountain
Soo = water
Kap = supreme
San = duck. Just kidding, it's the…

The Quays Pub
Neighborhood: Queens/Long Island City

45-02 30th Ave
Astoria, NY 11102

Ian R. writes: The Quays is not only the best pub I've been into in Astoria, it is probably my favorite watering hole in the city.  

The buy back policy is stupendous, you can't have more than 2 drinks without getting  a freebie.  Thursday night local bands play,…

Porto Rico Importing Co.
Neighborhood: Manhattan/SoHo

107 Thompson St
b/w Prince and Spring
New York, NY 10012

Jessica F. writes: If you stop into this, or any other outpost of this mini-chain of coffee and tea shops, you will find yourself witness to an oddly puzzling phenomenon.  

How is it that people working in such a highly caffienated environment can be so sloooooow?

It…

Bruno Jamais
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper East Side

24 E 81st
New York, NY 10029

Maritess Z. writes: I NEVER thought i could party on the Upper East Side, it seemed like such a boring idea, doesn't everyone travel downtown?

I am a sucker for secret places so I agreed to check it out.

There was no sign on the door, it looked like we were going to visit…

Scalini Fedeli
Neighborhood: Manhattan/TriBeCa

165 Duane St
New York, NY 10013

Barry C. writes: A thoughtful menu executed well by terrific cooks, impeccably correct but friendly service, and pleasant surroundings make this TriBeCa restaurant  a must for romantic dinners or special guests; the $60 prix fixe (or $90 tasting menu) coupled with a…

Rafiqi's Delicious Food

24th and Park Ave S
New York, NY 10010

Audrey J. writes: Did you know "rafiqi" means "friend?" It's this kind of brilliant insight that comes from conversing with the super friendly and accommodating gents who man the Rafiqi cart in front of the Citibank on 40th Street, just west of Park Ave.

Rafiqi's cart…

Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Chelsea

542 W 27th St
New York, NY 10001

D.M. C. writes: Among those of us who know and celebrate it, Alex Gray's CoSM is the eye of a cultural and spiritual hurricane. On one hand, it's a beautiful museum space for Alex's world-renown hallucinogenic paintings--two of which served as the covers for Tool's…

Lululemon Athletica
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side

1928 Broadway St.
Broadway and 64th
New York, NY 10023

Sam P. writes: So clearly I needed an entire new Yogi wardrobe to go with my new yogi lifestyle and clearly I went right to the top.  Lululemon's clothes are definitely sylish, comfortable, and all-around yogi-licious, but a little too rich even for my blood.  No,…

Samurai

149 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Cassie C. writes: Samurai has by far the best sushi in Williamsburg.  The rolls are creative, the fish is fresh, and if you become a regular, Jon may let you keep your chopsticks behind the bar!  It's small but never too crowded, so please only share this place with…

Brooklyn Label
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Greenpoint

180 Franklin St
Brooklyn, NY 11222

Sarah H. writes: Brooklyn Label is the new kid on the block, and it's been packed from the moment it opened. I've only been here for brunch so far and have stopped in a few times just to pick up a coffee to go. The brunch is really awesome, with several options for…