Writes of Passage

10 Columbus Cir, 3rd Flr
New York, NY 10019

Probably will return?

Been here before for a tea, loved their view and casual attitude. It’s just right for us, before a 3pm concert.

I enjoyed my spicy mint tea and smoked salmon (lox), but the sliced cucumber are old, and their service could have been a little more attentive – like not wet my phone when putting down the tea pot with hot water for my tea. Not sure I heard “I’m sorry” …

My friend said it’s the best French toast ever. Maybe it is or maybe bec I was paying … Overall, the food is good …

On a Black Friday

1953 Coney Island Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11223

Turkish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean.

Will return.

Inviting ambience, delicious food and good service.

7pm on a Friday evening, we were seated right away. A waiting staff was examining two wine glass against the light and when he was satisfied, he put on our table, which was next to their glass cabinet. Throughout the evening, more glasses were added to the cabinet and inspected before being placed on the tables. I thought about the dirty fork at Half Moon the other day … the devil is in the details.

Although all the food we ordered and shared were delicious, but the tender cubical calf liver is worth an extra shout: for I rarely eat inside stuff and they were yummy.

We finished two bottles of red: you can bring your own wine. Not sure they charge corkage. Before we left, they surprised us with a huge plate of fruits.

Thank you so much!!

Street parking, free after 7pm.

1 High St
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Won’t return.

Great view, large portion, lousy and very very slow service.

We arrived at 1:09 pm on a weekday. Only a few tables.
I asked the staff to change my unused but dirty fork. They never bothered to bring a clean one.
Delicious warn bread.
Our appetizers were finally serviced at 1:51.
The portion is simply big.
I got up and walked around, after failing to get them to serve us.
…
The French fries is pretty yummy and I ate a lot of it.
We finally left, two full hours later.

NE corner 经四路 纬二路
合肥市庐江县幸福港湾主题酒店
Lujiang, Hefei

Nearly two hours drive from the Hefei South rail station (70 km). The restaurant is next to Morning Market 晨光农贸. They kindly displayed a banner as a warm welcome, oh boy. The owner is a distant relative, who sweated in Wenzhou before coming home to open up his own shop. The cucumber cold appetizer is really good, look and texture wise. And I taste for the first time, their local rice dumplings, which is fried.

83 Xinhua E Road ^{新华东道83号}
Tangshan, China

After gifting ceremony and seminar, they treated me at their hotel/conference hall for lunch. It’s two blocks away from Xinhua Hotel. Sunshine made the small guest house more desirable than the hotel. The lunch is a quick event and no alcohol was served.

67-9 Huguosi Street 护国寺大街67-69号
Beijing

The lunch at this eatery 惠丰门丁肉饼店 is pretty good. The location is super convenient, next to Mei Lanfang Memorial and they’re relatively clean. The food is fine and they serve them in a timely manner. Probably will return if I’m in the area.

12 Bear Skin Neck
Rockport, MA 01966

Loving it.

Great view and vibe. Cute. Small. Neat.

What not to like? Two bay windows are used as condiments stations. They serve simple fares, so it could be a whole day affair.

39 Bearskin Neck,
Rockport, MA 01966

Will return.

This little shack is a good place for a quick bit or slow chow (BYOB) on their patio at the back, by the Rockport Harbor. Although I don’t find their fish cake delicious (dead & thick: floury) but the crab s and lobsters are good. The service is amiable and efficient.

The two seater by the door is made from lobster trap – neat.

43 Ocean Ave
Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Will return.

The restaurant is on a wharf that served as chandlery in her previous life. It has indoor dining section which opens after 5 pm and outdoor which is on the Kennebunk River, is where we’ve our lunch.

We were treated to a world class ballerina‘s performance. Thank you 🙂

The reception lady is bit stern but efficient. She helps out to clean tables. A good team player with cold demeanor.

The deck is on the narrow Kennebunk River that’s filled with boats. A sailing school shares the parking lot with the restaurant. Boats, canoes and kayaks go by constantly.

The service is good so is the food. My Riesling is on the sweet side; fried calamari has a few pickled Greek pepper which is an excellent addition. Salad feels old. Avocado lobster is very good. An enjoyable lunch in a tranquil setting.

The restaurant is a few steps from the downtown. It’s our first time to #41’s home turf and are surprised at the hustle and bustle of their downtown, which isn’t exactly small given to the 3,474 population (2010 census). People milling on the street are decidedly older (so are the diners …). Later we saw a big group of tour buses (coaches) parked discretely by the Shack – wondering if they’re retirees from some organizations – which may explain the over crowding …

Another restaurant Alisson’s which is in the town square, with 575 ratings (this one has 127) but we liked our choice.

182 Clark Point Rd
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679

Will return. More pix here.

It’s a fun place to dine: you order your lobsters, clams or whatever that are in the tanks. The staff fishes them out, weight them and you go pay at the cashier. The open kitchen is behind them. The cashier will give you a stand that bears your order number. You go to find a table, inside or out door, to sit (or wait around to take it away), the staff will bring it to you. But you have to get your own drink from the little bar. The bartender was in a tank top, showcasing his beautiful tattoos.

Food and service are good.

Unlike many piers, the water around it is usually muddy and or with some floating things (like garbage), the water by their pier however, is clear, which, I find the unusual.