sonny's Profile
Motorino Pizza on Graham
Since we were off today, we went to the Brooklyn location for the first time - for the lunch special. $10 for soup or salad and a pizza seemed like a good deal. The food turned out to be just was ok, but the service was horrible. The place was packed around 2:30pm. We sat down, with 3 other tables seated just after us. The waiter brought us water and never came back. The 3 other tables had their orders taken and got their soup / salads before we even ordered. There were 3 wait staff hanging out behind the bar looking clueless. I finally had to go up and ask to place our order. Then our soup never came. Others got their pizza and then their checks. One table asked for their food to be wrapped up and never got it back. Apparently the waiter didn’t hear him say “please wrap it up.” Another waitress came over and the amazing thing is that instead of apologizing for the mistake, she actually put the blame on the customer, asking him “are you sure you asked for it wrapped, because we usually don’t wrap unless asked.” You would think, just give the guy an extra piece of pizza or offer him a coffee as good will. All they said was “sorry,” as the customer just sat there and looked confused. Then he got up and left without his food. Another table received the wrong order. Mind you, we still never got our soup, so again, I got up to ask for it. A different waitress went to check on it and never came back. Finally, we got some cold puree of brussel sprout soup – the apology was that they “ran out of soup” and had to make more, so we got the bottom of the pot. Then of course our pizza was delayed. I would have let all of this slide had the pizza lived up to the hype. However, the pizza was not great at all. Mostly crust, little topping of any sort, very oily and mushy. And the rest of the crust that was charred, was just burnt. The only redeeming part was that they did actually give us a piece of tiramisu on the house because of the long wait. But then never came back with our check. So, for a 2:30pm lunch, we were there until after 4pm. I have to say, this may not be a big deal to most people, but for me, service adds a lot to the dining experience. I don’t think I would go back for mediocre pizza and horrible service. There are certainly numerous other great pizza choices in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Lunch in midtown east
I’m meeting a friend for lunch next week and would like someplace halfway between our offices – so that would be east side, between east 57th and 70th St. Any nice, reasonably priced places, preferably with outdoor seating? No preference on cuisine, just somewhere away from the midtown office lunch rush and tourists.
Thanks.
Asian restaurants in midtown – east 50s
Our office is compiling a guidebook to the neighborhood we’ll be moving to later this year and would like to include restaurant listings in the mid 50s (around Lexington and 3rd Ave). I have been tasked with finding some Asian cuisine, but am unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Any recommendations for Asian restaurants – primarily for lunch hours and takeout – would be appreciated.
2 nights in Philadelphia - need dinner suggestions
Thanks jdf. That's a good point and something I didn't consider - restaurants in Philadelphia being closed on Sundays. If anyone has any insight into this, that would be great, since the "special" dinner would be for a Sunday night. Thanks.
2 nights in Philadelphia - need dinner suggestions
Would love some dinner suggestions for 2 nights out in Philadelphia.
The first night would be for a small group, after a baseball game, so it can be very casual – pub / bar or something fun and cheap.
The other night is for just a couple – for a nice, intimate dinner. We’ve been to Overtures and Pasion on previous visits. I’ve also heard a lot about Marigold’s Kitchen on this board. No specific cuisine as a preference - we like everything - but preferably BYOB, since we enjoy that and there aren’t too many BYOB places left in New York. All recommendations are welcome. Thanks for the help!
Food gift basket as gift-Any ideas?
i would suggest cheese from Murray's on Bleeker. They have a million different kinds. they're great!
Angelo's on 57th...any opinions?
i work right down the street and it's become a convenient place for work group lunches. so i think the crowd there is mostly neighborhood work crowd. while i do think the food is good - pizza especially and also some of the pasta dishes - i agree with some of the other posts in that i certainly wouldn't make a special trip for it. that neighborhood is a pain to be in if you don't have to work there and there are so many other great pizza places in manhattan and brooklyn that are worth the trip.
Best Japanese in Astoria?
we've been to Watawa on Ditmars (around 32nd or 33rd St) several times for sushi. It's a little difficult to find good sushi around there, but i think it's the best we've found in Astoria so far. certainly better than gowasabi. i'm not sure about the rest of the menu though. prices seem reasonable.
Romantic Birthday Dinner for Boyfriend Who Loves Meat
i would say Strip House in Union Square. We went for a birthday around this time last summer and it was great. It's a little "trendy" if you want to call it that, so it doesn't have that old steakhouse feel. lighting is dim and decor is very nice. seating is pretty close to one another, but they were able to accomodate a little more private area. service is very good and definitely the food.
Bao 111-tasting menu?
i've actually been trying to get them to email me the tasting menu for 3 days now - spoke to 3 different people who just couldn't be bothered. i agree, the attitude alone makes me think it's probably not that worth it, especially if you're trying to have a nice, laid back time with your friends.
Grimaldi's-Rude and arrogant
Hey - I was actually there last night as well and was also in line when that crazy crowd came in.(what a freak show) I was with a couple friends and we were wondering why they were escorted in like that. Thanks for the explanation as to why we ended up waiting another half hour. Not that it’s any better, but I could understand that type of arrogance from a trendy Manhattan restaurant. But come on - this is just pizza. It’s not even that great, but people are loyal and go there because it’s a piece of the neighborhood and for the local charm of the place. But now it seems like Grimaldi’s is just like any other phony Manhattan place that doesn’t give a care about their customers. From now on, I’ll take my pizza craving elsewhere.
BTW - we ended up leaving and going to Fascati’s too.
