Why Docks… Why?

Just a quick update!

The Coffee Straws team is hard at work at revamping the site and preparing it for is full opening this summer. You won’t see much action around here in the weeks to come but check back in April for official updates and possibly our return posts.

For now I will send this post from my iPhone because from within the tranches of restaurant and food reviewing comes the flexibility to publish from location.

-Huysmans out.

In its current incarnation, the theater district, though always touristy, has expanded to encompass (in its overly crowded and well-nigh impassable streets) not just 7th and Broadway but now 8th and almost 9th as well. 8th avenue has now for a while been touristized, don’t come here for XXX shops and cheap one night stands anymore, this has become part of Broadway. And because of its transformation, the more student budget eating as well as the more interesting and diverse culinary locales have moved to 9th avenue. That all being said the subject of this review is a relatively new joint on 45th and 9th. Five Napkin Burger opened earlier this summer and though at first glance may appear to be that tourist trap locale we have become accustomed to in this area, it has far more depth to it.

My experience at this restaurant was typical for a Wednesday night in Time Square. We were on the hunt for a place that would offer us a pre-theater dinner at a reasonable price that wouldn’t just be to fill our hungry bellies but would also entertain us for that portion of the evening. Now entertain is a hefty word, it could have so many possibilities therefore let me clarify a little better. We had met up at 6:30 and had nothing to do until 8 when the curtain went up, an hour and a half is a long time to wait, especially after a long day of work. Thus we used Open Table’s mobile option and found what was described as a classic burger joint, perfect for a burger and beer in the early evening of a bustling city.

Upon reaching our destination we were lucky enough to be seated right away at a table for two fashioned in the very popular Parisian style of both seats on one side of the table, thus allowing us to both enjoy the people watching (which, if I might add, was in full swing and highly entertaining as 9th ave never ceases to deliver a diverse assortment of personalities). Our server was more than jovial and provided us with everything we needed, including good unique beer recommendations. Now as provided by the name of the establishment I ordered the Five Napkin Burger and was thus presented with nothing less than a burger that required five napkins to be enjoyed. I can promise you a mess with this meal, there is no avoiding it. But should you be seeking an enjoyable, large, well sided burger with the accompaniment of a unique Five Napkin brew then this is the place for you.

I went out that evening looking for a place that would certainly not feel stuffy or speedy (as is the style of the tourist traps of Time Square) that would also feed us well. I found it five fold (or five folded napkins) with Five Napkin Burger.

Be advised: do not engage in the eating of the Five Napkin Burger if you are sensitive to making a mess with your food while eating with your hands.

The Ranking (for explanation, see “Review Key”):

Food: 2.5 Straws (The burger was good but our appetizer (warm artichoke and mozzarella dip) was only okay).

Price: $$$traws, Expensive price (about $30 or an appetizer, main course, and a bottle of beer).

Atmosphere: Noisy and friendly, the dining room looked noisy and crowded but where we were, outside, was comfortable (we weren’t crammed into the sidewalk space like you see in other restaurants, they had only one row of tables).

Overall: 3 Straws (We felt like bringing it up the extra half straw for the friendly staff who both demonstrated concern for providing us with everything we wanted and engagement with communicating with us. Overall an enjoyable experience and one I will remember next time I am in the area to see a show).

The Details:

Website: n/a

Location: 630 9th Avenue (corner of 45th & 9th).

Phone: (212) 757-2277

Reservation: We didn’t need one but the place did look crowded, based on my observations of the dining room I would suggest making one, especially since they participate with Open Table.

Dress: Casual.

Hours:

Weekdays:11:00am- 4:00pm Lunch, 4:00pm-12:00am Dinner.

Weekends: 11:00am- 4:00pm Brunch, 4:00pm-12:00am Dinner.

To expand the Coffee Straws reach we have begun looking at the unique places that lay outside of major urban centers. Good food and fun does not have to be situated within a bustling city all the time and the places soon to be reviewed are a testament to what can be found when you leave the hustle and bustle of city life. The first in this series of not so urban culinary locales is The Old Mill, a local favorite of South Egremont, Massachusetts. I should make a note of clarity at the beginning here that I have not had the pleasure of dining in the dining room but rather have chosen (each time that I have visited) to dine in the bar area. Why have I made this choice? Well first the menu is exactly the same (including the specials for the evening) and two the environment doesn’t just remind one of Cheers but rather makes Cheers remind you of The Old Mill.

Its bar and parlor area is managed by its amiable and hospital bartender who introduced me (on my first visit) to the extremely entertaining Times article which became the subject of a previous post. The scene of this old world parlor is reminiscent of the time Jack Finney’s character falls into when staying at the Dakota, a time when the expressions on our faces meant more than the superficiality of the modern world’s hello. Though the regulars dominate the bar area and the conversations at times can appear exclusive, this crowd of Massachusetts dwellers is anything but exclusive and are always looking to expand their dialogue.

Now with this truly neighborhood feel, and I know that we throw that word around a lot here but this time is a time when that word is defined more than used, we cannot ignore the eating aspects of this establishment. Its menu is representative of the classic American restaurant featuring numerous fish items as well as an excellent burger. In my most recent visit I sampled the grilled salmon which was topped with a pineapple salsa and served with a saffron risotto. On another visit I enjoyed The Old Mill Burger and on more than one occasion have enjoyed their established wine list and excellent selection of local draft beers.

The Old Mill will remain as a local favorite for South Egremont but it should also be known to the rest of us who live outside of Massachusetts as at least one reason to venture outside of the culinary empire that is New York City to find an enjoyable and delicious meal. Terry Moore, its owner and chef, has created an excellent treat which is neither over the top for the wonderfully rustic feel of the old mill it is housed in nor is it too simple for a more sophisticated pallet, it is just right.

The Ranking (for explanation, see “Review Key”):

Food: 3 Straws (can’t complain, its a good, classic meal).

Price: $$$traws, Expensive price (about $30 or an appetizer, main course, and a glass of wine).

Atmosphere: A community atmosphere, very welcoming. I cannot speak for the restaurant itself, but as the review describes its parlor scene is very much the definition of a neighborhood meeting place.

Overall: 3 Straws (If you are ever traveling on Route 23, through South Egremont this has to be on your list of places to stop to eat. It is a town favorite as well as a favorite for all of the New York weekenders).

The Details:

Website: n/a

Location: 53 Main St, Route 23, South Egremont, Massachusetts 01258

Phone: (413) 528-1421

Reservation: No Need (in the parlor at least).

Dress: Casual.

Hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 5:00pm-9:30pm

Friday-Saturday: 5:00pm-10:00pm

In honor of the recent opening of a new Starbucks in my neighborhood and the not so recent closing of two others I feel it is about time I list the Upper West Side Starbucks’ and describe their importance to me. Perhaps there is reason to have more than one in the end, or perhaps not.

First before we can start we have to define the neighborhood. In technical terms I live in Morningside Heights which actually begins at 86th street on the West Side. But for the purposes of this study we will be looking at an area of space that stretches from 66th street and the West Side to 106th street. The reason for these two limits is simple, that encompasses an area of New York in which I am very familiar with the Starbucks’.

With this mile radius block one would find 13 Starbucks’ (please comment if I have missed one).

Here they are:

1. Broadway btwn 87th & 88th
2394 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
United States

-A new Starbucks which I have not had the pleasure of entering and utilizing just yet. It is tucked away within an apartment building and appears to have balcony seating on a second level.

2. 86th & Columbus
540 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10024
United States

-This Starbucks is symbolic of my own childhood. I went to school not far from here and would many a day get coffee here before and after school. My friends and I had a unique relationship with this Starbucks in particular because we had this bizarre and just flat out weird style of studying where we would wake up extra early the day of a test and meet up at this location at opening (ie. 6 in the morning). This was done with some regularity throughout the year and thus the morning manager was convinced we were part of some alternative lifestyle group that would finish our nightly extravaganzas at a Starbucks. Back in the day this place had sofas and leather chairs as well as a plethora of plugs for computer use, now it has been consumed by the wooden tables and chairs and airportesque style of many a Starbucks of late.

3. Broadway @ 81st
2252 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
United States

-This is a very popular and almost always busy Starbucks. It has the appearance of being a large cubical and in recent years has greatly reduced the more interesting seating in favor of more chairs and tables. Some of you may remember this Starbucks appearing in You’ve Got Mail, but again the seating arrangement featured in that movie is no longer available at this Starbucks. It is decent as far as Starbucks’ go; service is pretty quick and there is a lot of seating, though don’t expect to always be able to get a seat. Personally I find this one to be too loud (considering the set up of a giant cube) and less conducive for work or leisure reading. In short this is a meeting Starbucks, many come here to talk.

4. 93rd and Broadway
2498 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
United States

-Completely opposite of the Starbucks on 81^st street, this Starbucks can be very quiet, even in the front where the registers are. I have found in the past that when looking for a Starbucks to get a lot of work done in a quieter environment this is my pick. Again though as is the case with pretty much all the Starbucks’, the seating has gotten much less comfortable. One thing that does set this one apart form a typical Starbucks experience that I have had is that its service tends to be slower and the lines can form here pretty easily.

5. 81st & Columbus
444 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10024
United States

-Once in my life have a ventured in to this Starbucks to actually stay and talk there. Mostly I see this Starbucks as a place to pick up drinks after eating at any of the Natural History Museum restaurants (The B. R. Guest restaurants that refuse to work with Open Table, I’ll talk about this in a post to come). It’s a smaller Starbucks with less storefront windows. Beyond that its location is important to note as it is, as mentioned, right near the American Museum of Natural History as well as the 81^st street entrance into Central Park, which is very popular during the summer months because of Shakespeare in the Park.

6. 95th & Broadway
2521 Braodway
New York, NY 10025
United States

-This one I have always believed to be completely and utterly unnecessary, though it does get a line in the morning. I see it as unnecessary because when standing in front of it you can see one Starbucks two blocks south at 93^rd and Broadway and another Starbucks three blocks north at 98^th and Broadway. Nevertheless I have found reason to utilize this Starbucks, as have many other morning travels. I guess one reason that it gets use is its location right near the Subway entrance, though you can see the two other stores, both are a few more blocks from the express stop at 96^th street. Second to that is its location on the west side of the street. With its addition to the neighborhood I do not have to cross to the east side of the street to obtain a coffee and then back to the west side to go home. This is an extremely lazy technicality but it deserves mention for that regardless.

7. 75th & Broadway
2140 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
United States

-I am less familiar with this Starbucks but that does not mean I haven’t visited it a few times here and then. It has had the purpose for me at least of being a rest stop on the way from Lincoln Center back to Morningside Heights. In this respect its bathroom is very nice as are the lines for ordering, but on occasion those lines have been long and the service slow.

8. 76th & Columbus
338 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023
United States

- I can’t really comment on this one as I have been here maybe once. I just don’t use Columbus when traveling uptown or downtown, mostly because Broadway has that convenient curve to it that helps get me directly to Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Time Square, and Union Square.

 

9. 98th & Broadway
2600 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
United States

-Due to its location it has been my Starbucks of choice. My friends and I would meet here in the mornings when going to school (on days that we weren’t getting up at 5:30 to go to the one on Columbus to study). It is at this Starbucks that I always find myself reading the paper, eating breakfast (from Lenny’s Bagels across the street of course), and blogging. The service is always dependable and most of the time I can find a seat, but it isn’t easy. Though it’s a newer addition to the Starbucks trend I do greatly appreciate its location and have utilized it on a fairly regular basis, their lattes are always well prepared.

10. 73rd & Columbus
267-275 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023
United States

-A Starbucks I can’t say I have entered in more than once if that. Again its location on Columbus puts it out of the way for my needs but I’m sure it is just like any old Starbucks.

11. 70th & Broadway
2045 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
United States

-With this one I am going on record and saying that I believe Starbucks has made a typo with the address of this Starbucks. It is located just south of the intersection of Broadway and Amsterdam and I believe it is on the Amsterdam side of that intersection. Regardless if it is the Starbucks on the Amsterdam side and I am not missing another Starbucks in that area it is a fairly large one that is mostly dominated by a younger crowd who are either one their way or coming from the Sony movie theater on 68^th street. Because of the crowd it draws I have utilized it less and less of late, it is not good for anything productive. But in the good old days when I was impatient waiting for a movie to start I would venture in here for a drink. That is if I didn’t head over to the one on Columbus and 67^th street.

12. 103rd & Broadway
2690 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
United States

-I believe this one is the newest member to the Starbucks crew and is doing a fine job of getting established. We will see how it fares in that area, it is the second to move into the Broadway in the low 100s block, the first one closed and became a bank. It is good to have a coffee shop up by many choice restaurants as well as the Silver Moon Bakery which in it of itself is a destination to visit. We will see if it lasts.

13. Columbus @ 67th
152 – 154 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 100235921
United States

-This Starbucks wraps up my high school years with it being closer to the 68^th street movie theater and frankly a little better than the Starbucks on 70^th and Amsterdam. I find that it was better because it had more comfortable seating (back in the day not now) and had the room to do the stuff that we liked to do, such as play a rousing game of Monopoly or hold an eight person plus discussion of the hidden meaning within the third Matrix movie; The Matrix Revolutions.

So those are the Starbucks in my life and the different purposes they have had. The real point of discussion here is the number of Starbucks within just a mile radius defined by 86th and Broadway. What are the uses you have for Starbucks? Or are you one of the many who are annoyed by the abundance and uniformity of the Starbucks system that you have boycotted them all together? Whatever your opinions are share your thoughts:

 

What does Starbucks mean to you and how do you define its role in your community? Is it the destroyer of the small coffee shop? Or the savor who finally created an evening location for young people that doesn’t include alcohol.

 

Discuss:

Everyone has that quest that they go on in the town or city that they are from to find the superlative for their favorite food groups. One of those journeys for me was to find the one or two restaurants in New York City that offered what I considered to be the best Italian style pizza. Now it is important to define what I mean by Italian style, and I use it pretty loosely to mean thin crust pizza cooked in a brick, open flame, oven. The pizza produced from this cooking style cannot be enjoyed in the classic New York sense of the one hand fold over, rather this pizza sometimes even requires a fork and knife because its crust is just that fragile and thin.

In my search I have identified two places (both on the Upper West Side) that I feel have met my challenge and have risen to a level deserving of a joint superlative stating that Acqua and Nick and Toni’s (to be reviewed soon) have the best thin crust pizza in New York City. I invite our readers to suggest a competitor for them, but for now these are my two picks.

Now Acqua will be the subject of this review. I first introduced Acqua when reviewing Regional as a destination I would choose over Regional unless the weather would not permit the extra travel. That sentiment is still true as I now approach the Acqua review. That all being said lets begin the review:

Acqua is situated on the southwest corner of 95th street and Amsterdam. Its facade allows for both interior and exterior seating (a joy when the weather is nice). The restaurant’s design presents it as a large single room dining environment with a somewhat tightly packed bar at the entrance. The staff have always been extremely accommodating and I have never once had an issue with either the service or the speed of the restaurant. Acqua can only be considered as a truly authentic Italian restaurant. Do not visit Acqua if you are looking for the thicker type of pizza you can enjoy with a fold over and the use of only one hand.

As the menu demonstrates this is not just a pizza place. Though my go to section is the pizza section they also have a wonderfully simple yet delicious pasta selection, there is something to be said about a simple but well prepared rigatoni pomodoro.

Now I know that much of the rhetoric we have used here at Coffee Straws has revolved around how much of a neighborhood place a restaurant is, and I believe that is because the attribute of being a neighborhood place is something we highly value, especially in a place we feel has return value. Thus I will use that adjective again when describing the feel and environment of Acqua. From the Italian wines recommended by the staff to the always delicious and yet seemingly rustic pizza this place is welcomed addition to a street that has seen its fair share of restaurants go under.

The Ranking (for explanation, see “Review Key”):

Food: 3 Straws (can’t complain, its a good meal).

Pizza: 4 Straws (We feel that the pizza deserves a separate ranking due to its deliciousness and authenticity).

Price: $$($)traws, Moderate/Expensive price (about $30 for an appetizer, pizza and glass of wine, but the pizzas are fairly sized and can be a meal just alone making the restaurant a moderately priced place at around $20 a meal).

Atmosphere: A community atmosphere, very welcoming. Its corner location allows for (when the weather is just right) an indoor/outdoor setup.

Overall: 3 Straws (Acqua very much resembles a neighborhood Italian restaurant and responds to that craving for Italian cuisine. Whenever I am in the mood for some good Italian cooking along with Italian wine, Acqua is my choice).

The Details:

Website: n/a

Location: 718 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Phone: (212) 222-2752

Reservation: No Need.

Dress: Casual.

Hours:

Weekdays: 4:00pm-11:30pm

Weekends: 11:00am-11:30pm

It is hard to do a review of a neighborhood icon but at the same time this is one of those icons that is still a hidden gem in many ways. This tiny hole-in-the-wall place has emerged from obscurity thanks to the continued reporting of the New York Times back in 1997 when their most remarkable creation was first discovered. Since that time they have succeed in establishing themselves as a destination location. Now as one who has spent his entirely life on the Upper West Side, I am well aware of the fact that our neighborhood has (for some reason) begun attracting numerous tourists to our “destinations” and I am sure that at this point following all the press, Levain Bakery has seen its fair share of these tourists, and yet I feel it remains a hidden gem to most neighborhood residence. I didn’t hear about it until two years ago for example.

So what makes this bakery worthy of being called a gem, a destination, and just simply a remarkable bakery? This little shop has created what I can only describe as a soufflé in cookie form. Their cookies are huge (and expensive) and remind you of what a perfect cookie can actually taste like. The outside defends its fragile interior with a hard crusty shell that, when penetrated, reveals a moist and gooey consistency that reminds you of a soufflé with every additional bite.

This bakery is not for the patron who when decorating their home chooses the paintings that match the interior rather than choosing the paintings that inspire the owner. This bakery is for the patron seeking the cookie, the cookie that will define the moment it is enjoyed. I have yet to visit this bakery and consume a cookie without discussing its consumption afterwards. Therefore it comes down to the simple fact that this hole in the wall place tucked away on the north side of 74th just off of Amsterdam has, for $3.75, a rather large piece of heaven that you will not soon forget. Were I ever to produce a superlative for best cookie in New York City if not America if not the world, this cookie would win it.

The Run-Down:

What I usually get:

Drink: Plan on getting water or milk or immediately after because this cookie will take a lot out of you.

Eat: Any of the four cookie options: Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. (There is no one cookie better than the others).

Stay or To Go: I have done both, there is some seating opposite the counter but it is not exactly designed for long visits.

Mood when going: You cannot leave without a smile on your face after trying one of these cookies.

The Ranking (for an explanation, see “Ranking Key”):

Food: Four Straws (Despite the fact that these might be the best cookies in the world the rest of the food is in need of evaluation).

Price: $$$traw: Expensive ($3.75 for acookie is no bargin).

Atmosphere: Casual and welcoming (the literal fact that it is a hole in the wall place structures it in such a way as to be very wecloming and neighborhoodly).

Overall: 4 Straws (These cookies are themselves a destination when visiting New York and for that the establishment deserves 4 straws. It does not get 5 straws and because it is not a once in a life time experience due to the reality that the establishment does service other culinary interests in a less than perfect (doesn’t mean bad) way and has a less than perfect decor).

The Details:

Website: http://www.levainbakery.com/

Location: 167 West 74th Street, New York, NY 10023, just off of Amsterdam.

Phone: 212.874.6080

Reservation: No need.

Dress: Casual.

Hours:

Monday- Saturday: 8:00am- 7:00pm

Sunday: 9:00am- 7:00pm

The Coffee Straws team has been hard at work in the real world, which has given us little time to blog, but lots of time to think about how to improve CS for all of you. This weekend, get ready for many new blog posts and updated features. Thanks for sticking with us as we get CS up and running, and please do check back frequently and become a straw-fan! 

- The Coffee Straws Team

***STRAW GOSSIP***

A couple months ago, huymans wrote about the clover and the other day I was in a cafe in Tempe, called Cartel Coffee Lab, where I spotted a clover. I didn’t get to try it, so I can’t review it at this time, but I figured I’d put it on the radar. If you’re in the area, go give it a try — Cartel is located at 225 W. University Dr. Tempe AZ 85281 Suite # 101. They aren’t open early in the morning, which is a little bit of a problem for those commuting into work, but their hours are: M-Sat, 8AM-6PM. I’ll turn this into a review when I do get to try the clover.

***STRAW GOSSIP***

According to a blog, you can now download a program called Urbanspoon to your 3G iPhone that will randomly find you a good restaurant in the area when you shake the phone. It uses the new iPhone’s GPS capabilities and motion sensors. Pretty cool. Here is a demo of it, which explains it much better than I ever could: DEMO.