Restaurant Review: Cafe Fresh (121st and Amsterdam)

Restaurant Review: Cafe Fresh (121st and Amsterdam)

Review of: Cafe Fresh

By: Audra M.

Rating: 4

Read review on Judy's Book.

Went to brunch here for the second time in the last few months. The food here is great and a pretty good value.

FOOD/DRINK: Coffee is all fair trade and excellent. OJ we had tasted fresh. The food is all organic, freshly prepared, and yummy to boot! I had a tasty frittata with basil and red bell peppers, and my husband had the asparagus omelet which he described as the best he ever had (I had a bite, it was pretty good). Each came with a small side salad, home fries, and dense little cornbread that had raisins in it for about $8 each.

Other choices on the brunch menu included a small variety of pancakes and french toast. Also, they have a selection of big salads and sandwiches.

For those interested in just popping in for a coffee/tea and pastry, they have some homemade muffins and pastries (with and without gluten, with and without sugar). Additionally, they have some ready-made sandwiches and some delicious looking desserts.

SERVICE/ATMOSTPHERE: During brunch, one side of the restaurant is table service and the other side for those going up to the counter and then hanging out with their books/laptops.

The service is friendly, though be prepared to wait a bit for your food to be made--they have a small kitchen that sometimes has a difficult time keeping up with demand.

Atmosphere is nice--there are nice big windows and music in the background--but the tables are rather small and close together. Additionally, it can get a little warm in there with said windows and crowd.

All in all, I would recommend this place for a place to hang out and study, or for a light meal alone, or with just another person.

Movie Review: Scoop (Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman)

Movie Review: Scoop (Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman)

By: Audra M.

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy's Book.

Cute, fun, mildly funny. These are the words that sprang to mind as I was watching Woody Allen's latest movie, Scoop. Very few laugh-out-loud moments, but enjoyable nonetheless. Scarlett Johansson is, of course, gorgeous, and you can tell Woody loves filming her, although it's not *as* soft lit and golden glow ingénue as he did her in Match Point.

The story goes like this. A kinda naive (hokey) American journalism student is visiting family friends in London stumbles onto a hot lead (cute how she gets it): a high-society politician guy might be a modern day Jack the Ripper (played by a very hunky Hugh Jackman). She's got to solve the mystery, is he or isn't he the killer? She enlists the help of a magician, a fellow American living in London (Woody Allen) to help her solve the case and hilarity ensues. Ok, maybe a mild amusement ensues. Along the way, she falls in love with the suspect, and Woody has to keep her focused on solving the case.

I think the thing that I alternately found endearing and annoying was Johansson playing her character as Woody Allen. She incorporates his halting, neurotic speech and mannerisms into her character. Sometimes it comes across well and sometimes it looks like two actors improvising a first run (not something you imagine that makes the final cut).

Overall, I'd say this is worth seeing at the movie theater if you are a Woody Allen fan.

Book Review: Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell

Some of my favorite books happen to be ones that are difficult for me to explain with getting a, "huh?" response from most people I know. This one has already elicited this response from a few friends and family when I excitedly tried to explain how funny and educational Sarah Vowell's book is. I admit it might have to do with my ability to describe it. You be the judge.

It is a memoir (I guess that is what you would call it) of her research and pilgrimages to various key site related to the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. This woman is into presidential history and her enthusiasm is infectious. It's hard for me to put into words (maybe that is why I get the huhs?), but it's like listening to your favorite, funny-story-telling friend at a dinner party (would I sound like too much of a stalker if I said I wish Sarah was my friend? Sarah are you reading this?). This woman knows the subjects so well, she can pull out the interesting bits and make it sound like something on reality TV (I mean that in a good way). Coming away from the book with a real understanding of Garfield and McKinley was not such a surprise, I knew virtually nothing about them (except maybe that they were presidents). I think the most gratifying, though, was the section on Lincoln. I felt like I really understood the history and impact of the Lincoln assassination for the first time. It's something I didn't know that I didn't know until I knew it. I guess it also makes me feel a little bit smarter, and I would be lying if I said that didn't influence my enjoyment of the book.

Anyway, it's a fun read (huh? a book on assassinations is a fun read?) and I highly recommend it.

Holy crap I love this place

Holy crap I love this place

Review of: Toast

By: Audra Martin

Rating: 4

Read review on Judy's Book.

I love this place. It is a great place to have a pint or two and the food's not bad either.

FOOD/DRINK: The salads and burgers are pretty good. I recommend the grilled salmon salad (probably not low-fat or healthy, but really consistently delicious), but the fries are most excellent (I find it best to order the salad and bring someone along who will order a sandwich or burger and is willing to share their fries). Another great thing about this place is the beer. They have a decent selection of draft beers which always includes some interesting things on the rotating taps. We have often tasted these beers before we decide, which led us to try beers we wouldn't normally think of trying.

ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere is relaxed. The prices are pretty darn cheap. The service is usually attentive and is always friendly. There's a palpable feeling of camaraderie. I can't really say for sure why, but I suspect it might be that many of the wait staff and bartenders have worked there for as long as been there as long as we have been going (last few years) and there are definitely regulars that hang out there, but if doesn't seem clique-y.

There are a lot of students here from the nearby music school, seminaries and teacher's college. I don't know if it is because they tend to be post-undergrad, but the student crowd is not annoying like it can be at places a little further down Broadway.

DOWNSIDES: Often times we go there is a short wait, but I don't think we've ever been able to finish our beer at the bar before we got a table.

Great brunch spot and good happy hour

Great brunch spot and good happy hour

Review of: Radio Perfecto Uptown

By: Audra Martin

Rating: 4

Read review on Judy's Book.

I like this place. Not sure what it is about the hours we are there, but we've been going regularly for the last few years and often do not have to compete with students and never have to wait for a table.

HAPPY HOUR: The happy hour is pretty good, not too expensive and very relaxed--definitely not a "scene" to be seen (which is a plus for me).

BRUNCH: Also, we love the $10 brunch which includes coffee; mimosa, bloody mary, or orange juice; and a good-sized meal. The Belgian waffle and huevos rancheros are two of my favorite choices (not together, though!). Especially nice is a decent place in which you don't have to wait forever for a table.

DINNER: It's definitely a step up from diner food, and some of the menu items are pretty good. The rolls usually taste really fresh and yummy (of the dozens of times we have been there, I think they tasted a little stale once or twice). They do roasted chicken pretty well, and the hangar steak with cherry sauce is good when they have it. I have to agree with the other reviewer in that this is not lite or healthy fare. It's a strong possibility that you will leave this place feeling very full having eaten a little too much fat

ATMOSPHERE: The lighting is low and the music is usually pretty good. Even though some of the tables are close together, I don't often get the feeling I am sitting with the people at the next table like you sometime do when the tables are 6 inches apart. They have a good amount of outdoor seating (small tables, probably about 10 tables) which can be nice when the weather is pleasant, but it's not a total paradise--you still have to contend with the sound of trucks and buses from Amsterdam right next to you.

SERVICE: The hostesses are usually pleasant, but sometimes the bartender is surly and the wait staff on the less-skilled side. Depending on how much this time of thing ruffles you will determine if you like this place, I think.

Review of Hamlet 1603: The First Quarto (Stella Adler Studio Theater)

Review of Hamlet 1603: The First Quarto (Stella Adler Studio Theater)

By: Audra Martin

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy's Book.

Went to go see Hamlet 1603: The First Quarto at the Stella Adler Studio Theater on Saturday night. Short review: Enjoyable.

I'm no Shakespeare expert. I've seen the movie versions of Hamlet and read it in high school. Read that the version they were doing was slightly different than what people consider the "definitive" version (the 1603 First Quarto refers to the year and format of the manuscript, quarto referring to be way the pages were folded). I wondered if I would be able to tell the difference. Yes, definitely noticeable.

First of all, it is shorter, I think. Also, some of the famous speeches (to be or not to be...) are slightly different. Also the minor, but key characters of Rosencrantz and Gildenstern have slightly different names. The words sounded at some points almost like an earlier draft, which I suppose might be the case. Like I said, I'm no expert.

Enough about the writing, now to the production itself.

The theater is very small, there was no set to speak of, and the actors where street clothes. Hmm, you might think. Doth that a good setup for enjoyable Shakespeare make? You bet.

There are three pieces on the stage that are moved around to serve different purposes throughout. Also, about 6 actors play all of the parts, most of them playing 2-3 parts except for Hamlet. They all where street clothes, using small additions or subtractions to change character. I was pretty impressed with how well they accomplished this, with no set and no wings for exiting and entering the stage. I was also impressed with most of the acting. I thought all of the actors had an excellent handle of the material, which made it so easy to follow and understand and enjoy. Hamlet was superb. He was the most accessible Hamlet I have seen. Seemed much more real and less high-brow, if you know what I mean.

Except for a woman's cell phone that went off not once, but TWICE in the second act (arghhhh), the play was very enjoyable, and for the money ($15), a good deal for cul-tcha in NY. Closes July 29
http://www.newworldtheatre.org/


Small theater (unfortunately small audience)

Excellent Ethiopean/Eritrean in Morningside Heights

Excellent Ethiopean/Eritrean in Morningside Heights

Review of: Massawa Restrnt

By: Audra Martin

Rating: 4

Read review on Judy's Book.

Though thought of by some as a culinary wasteland, Morningside Heights/SoHa has some lovely little gems. Among them is one of our local favorites Massawa. It's some of the best Ethiopian/Eritrean food I've had in the city and the ambiance/wait staff are lovely.

PRESENTATION: Unless indicated on the menu or otherwise requested, the food is served family style on a large platter and is eaten with the hands using the injera bread that comes with almost everything.

FOOD: There is a nicely varied menu that includes meat (beef, chicken, lamb), fish, and veggie options, ranging from sweet and mild to spicy (it's one of the few places in the neighborhood that can actually do spicy food). We often get the Shiro (we prefer the regular to the special) and Timtimo (which are not spicy), and the Fit Fit Awaze (spicy) when we're in a veggie mood. The combo platters they have are also a nice way to sample a few different spice combinations. The downside with the combos is that they are usually just one kind of meat, served two different ways.

DRINKS: The restaurant has a short wine list, and does some decently priced mixed drinks. They also have Addis (lager) and a honey beer (Axum, I think) available in bottles in addition to some standard domestics.

AMBIANCE: The restaurant has low, romantic lighting and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere that is great for conversations. I've been there in groups ranging from 2-6 people, and it's nice to always be able to hear the other people at the table. Also, the music is usually interesting, but unintrusive. Be warned that this is a relaxed setting and the service/time between order and food arrival can be SLOW. It's best to go before you are completely famished and enjoy a drink while you wait for your food. Alternatively, if you live in the neighborhood, the delivery is great.