Writes of Passage

14 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY

Decent decor. Wines. Clean bathroom. A nice little bar and wine glasses. Average food & presentation for their price range. Noisy (!) Inattentive service. On site parking.

Food: Asian, from sushi to Beijing Duck.

Wine and drink: if the waiting staff can’t handle a wine list, it’s better to just have house wine. Same goes to cocktails. My neighbor ordered a dirty martini – very basic – who repeaded a few times, “very dirty with olives on the side.” I would have helped her (all staff or at least the few I saw are Chinese) but the noise level were so high, I didn’t want to shout, beside, she wasn’t too friendly. Yet, the 3 olives were inside the glass. The sake was hot and she just put it on the table without pouring the first cup. It’s so hot my neighbor had to use a napkin to hold the bottle to pour. I like their wine glass over the martini glass.

Armpit: one of my companions said she gets server’s armpit all the time here. I sat on the bench (it’s loose …) and saw it up close. Oh boy.

It’s Saturday evening. At 6:30 it’s 1/3 full but by 7, is filled to the brim, and hard to get our server’s attention. I understand. But when the server saw me raising my hand she ignored me, this’s not cool.

Soy sauce: the cute jar didn’t indicate what kind of soy sauce – regular or low sodium.
“Is this low sodium soy sauce?” I asked.
“Yes.” She the server replied.
“May I have the regular?”
We were group of 9. One of them didn’t hear my conversation (too noisey!!!) and asked her for the same while she’s at our table.
“That’s the regular.” She told him.
Emmmmm…

Service stands: two of them were there, next to a table full of diners the entire time I was there. The staff piled dirty tableware in them as well as fresh meals out of kitchen for serving. What are they thinking?!

1043 Norrhern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY 11576

Will return.

High ceiling (love it), delicious food, good service, decent bathroom with a maid (better without! I’d rather have mouthwash than a maid). I’d rate this one higher than Kyma – high ceiling and wood get me.

It’s our friends’ 60th birthday – our children grew up together since they were 3, and now one of the kids is engaged – congratulations!!!

Valet parking.

233 West Street
New York, NY 10013

<- DIY sunset -:). Will return.

Great sunset view, good service and delicious food. We didn’t get to see the sunset (faked one myself ha ha ha) nor sit on the roof top but I got to kayak & a visit from a cute dog.

132 W 44th Street
New York, NY

Will return.

The red color scheme reminds me a little Paris (perhaps it’s flag is half red, ha ha ha…). Genteel. A great place for a respite in the in your face Times Square.

The fried calamari is superb, with hint of spice, perfect with beer and Pinot.

39-28 Bell Blvd,
Bayside, NY 11361

Probably won’t return – pricey for the location.

A bright (mostly white) pleasant Greek restaurant in Bayside.

We have two appetizers: mussels and octopus. The red sauce of mussels is good with feta (salt tastes good, in general), but certainly not worth $18.95. The octopus at $25, is tender and delicious, so is Moscofilero. On Vivino the GWC is 3.2 by 334 raters/drinkers, which I thought it’s pretty low. They don’t sell bottle but by glass/half carafe/full carafe. The carafe sat on our table un-chilled. I wonder how ‘full carafe’ works because it’s basically a bottle 750 ml. Or maybe the Moscofilero comes in a huge jar … in any case the bill is $78.28 which I thought is over-priced. Street parking, can be trying.

255 Northern Blvd
Great Neck, NY 11021

Won’t return.

Cash only, NO credit card.

I’ve been to this location a few times but was never impressed with their service. No impressed today, again.

Calling on a Thursday, asking for 1:30 but was given 1:45. Ok, they might not have enough bodies. It’s more than half empty when we got there. But have to wait till our third friend arrived before we were seated.

Then being ignored for a good 10 miniutes. I have to raise my hand to a couple of staff who were fussing with the empty table next to us, to possibly getting us menus and drinks, perhaps?

Cold breads – would be nice if they’re warm. Bathroom although clean but feels like McDonald’s or Starbucks’.

We only have rib steak, lamb chop which is a better choice than the steak; asked for mdium rare but came medium. The German potato (the founder was a German immigrant) and broccoli are ok.

A staff said it’s their tradition to accept cash. And the bill is hand written which I find quint and cute. And the chocolate, I used my calculator as not to be mistaken – they’re established in 1887, pile on 125 years that would mean 2012 – holly Molly, a well aged sweet.

Now, what do they do with all that cash?? Seriously. A sitting duck … ?

The bar is facing the enterance. Low ceiling, small, uninviting.

225 Liberty St,
New York, NY 10281

Inside the food court @ World Financial Center / Winter Garden Atrium.

Beaubourg is a district in Paris, becoming fashionable nowadays. The vibe is very wall street as people getting off work, for a drink.

400 5th Ave, Ste 2
New York, NY 10018

A high end Italian restaurant, on the second floor of Langham hotel. The vibe is pretty good. Decor is fine, so is their service. Their bathroom is well appointed. Food, during the restaurant week is pretty good. The lime green calla lily (?) is the best.

Westlake Marina, on the lake Montauk, Long Island

I found a piece of glass in my food. When I informed the staff, the tanned and middle age lady just shrug.

The food is average and the place is a shack. The location is in a marina, on the water. I found their piece is a bit too expensive. The fries are crispy and delicious, came with BLT (two huge piece of chicken!). The sushi rice is warm – which I like.

125 Main St
Sag Harbor, NY 11963

Coffee and tea bar – a litle different, and very spacious. The orange color is kind of unusual. Lime green would do too.

Tops are endless. must be a good place for kids … things look fresh.