Alyssa D. (aly del vee)
Latest Reviews
Beat The Bomb Brooklyn
So I took my cousins here in 2019 and they LOVED it. When they came back to visit me in NY, this was the #1 activity they mentioned to do.
Beat the bomb unequivocally requires teamwork. There are 8 max per group and if you can't communicate with each other, you will not be successful enough to "beat the bomb" (though beating the bomb is pretty hard as it is).
What I liked:
-they have free lockers for your belongings
-the games are pretty fun (there are 4 challenges, and depending how you do it adds to your time at the end to attempt to disarm the bomb)
-They provide a suit in various sizes to save your clothes and shoes from the mess, and have an area where you can clean yourself up
-Even if you beat the bomb, you can still be blasted by whichever kind of bomb you chose (paint, foam, etc)
-Your pics are free!
What I didn't like:
-You are very active in this game, so it gets sweaty FAST. Need fans in there
-The screen in your room indicates when to move on, but if you have a kids group or rowdy group in general, they can disrupt your game by opening the door and walking into it
-The last game you play in the series of challenges is pretty confusing and the hardest to manage, especially when the tech doesnt read your body too well
How it could improve:
-Making the "winning" incentive more known. When I went the first time, we lost, but the latest time we won. I happened to ask a guy a question before leaving an apparently you get a little certificate and pins for winning. We didn't know about that and no one told us that was a thing, so they could make that more known.
-More ventilation in the room
-Everything is very formulaic, independent experience. This is good because it gives players and chance to learn on their own, but I argue there could be improvements with staff getting a little more involved, particularly with organization. It gets chaotic in there fast.
Overall, conceptually it's steps above an escape room because it challenges your brain to think in multiple ways, not just following hints to solve a mystery.
Beat the bomb unequivocally requires teamwork. There are 8 max per group and if you can't communicate with each other, you will not be successful enough to "beat the bomb" (though beating the bomb is pretty hard as it is).
What I liked:
-they have free lockers for your belongings
-the games are pretty fun (there are 4 challenges, and depending how you do it adds to your time at the end to attempt to disarm the bomb)
-They provide a suit in various sizes to save your clothes and shoes from the mess, and have an area where you can clean yourself up
-Even if you beat the bomb, you can still be blasted by whichever kind of bomb you chose (paint, foam, etc)
-Your pics are free!
What I didn't like:
-You are very active in this game, so it gets sweaty FAST. Need fans in there
-The screen in your room indicates when to move on, but if you have a kids group or rowdy group in general, they can disrupt your game by opening the door and walking into it
-The last game you play in the series of challenges is pretty confusing and the hardest to manage, especially when the tech doesnt read your body too well
How it could improve:
-Making the "winning" incentive more known. When I went the first time, we lost, but the latest time we won. I happened to ask a guy a question before leaving an apparently you get a little certificate and pins for winning. We didn't know about that and no one told us that was a thing, so they could make that more known.
-More ventilation in the room
-Everything is very formulaic, independent experience. This is good because it gives players and chance to learn on their own, but I argue there could be improvements with staff getting a little more involved, particularly with organization. It gets chaotic in there fast.
Overall, conceptually it's steps above an escape room because it challenges your brain to think in multiple ways, not just following hints to solve a mystery.
Manducatis Rustica VIG
I absolutely love this place! If you want to just come in for some gelato, or have a fine dining experience, this is the place to come to in Long Island City! I have had the pleasure of enjoying both experiences and I will have to give this spot a solid A. Staff is great, food feels homey with a pretty presentation, and I personally love the decor. I've already made my rounds here before, but it is a place I'd happily go back to any time.
Tip: I'd recommend having a date night here!
Tip: I'd recommend having a date night here!
The Shady Lady
This is a tricky place to review. On the one hand, the food was excellent, and I really liked the overall relaxed vibe of the place. Pricing is reasonable ($30 bottomless, brunch on the weekend), and staff was cool and friendly. My issue was the cleanliness of the glasses and the drinks themselves. When our group of 7 got our waters in the beginning, two of our waters had lipstick marks, and we sent them back. The staff was very cool about it and got us new glasses and straws right away.
Then came the drinks. I got sangria which I normally love, but my glass tasted like dish soap, mixed with sangria. I was 2 for 2 unlucky with my glasses. I thought I was bugging, but when I had my friends try my drink, they tasted the same thing. Maybe it was the preservatives in the actual drink, but I just kept swinging and missing on drinks.
Overall I really like the place and I want to go back, but I'm not sure if I would go there for brunch again. The mimosas were fine, but the sangria just tasted so funky to me, and that leaves me in a weird place to review this spot. Until I have another experience here, I'm sticking to 3 stars on the premise that I would try this spot again. I would love to give this place 4+ stars but the glasses not being clean really bugged me out. And even though the staff was nice, the service for bottomless was pretty slow. I had finished my dinner and I only had 1 drink.
I hope when I come back my next experience changes my mind.
The chicken and waffles though--pretty damn good! Honestly, a saving Grace.
Then came the drinks. I got sangria which I normally love, but my glass tasted like dish soap, mixed with sangria. I was 2 for 2 unlucky with my glasses. I thought I was bugging, but when I had my friends try my drink, they tasted the same thing. Maybe it was the preservatives in the actual drink, but I just kept swinging and missing on drinks.
Overall I really like the place and I want to go back, but I'm not sure if I would go there for brunch again. The mimosas were fine, but the sangria just tasted so funky to me, and that leaves me in a weird place to review this spot. Until I have another experience here, I'm sticking to 3 stars on the premise that I would try this spot again. I would love to give this place 4+ stars but the glasses not being clean really bugged me out. And even though the staff was nice, the service for bottomless was pretty slow. I had finished my dinner and I only had 1 drink.
I hope when I come back my next experience changes my mind.
The chicken and waffles though--pretty damn good! Honestly, a saving Grace.
Riko
Though I'm Latina myself, I hadn't gone to a Peruvian spot exclusively so this was a good first time! When Diana seated us she poured us a complimentary glass of wine and overall was so sweet the whole time! Food itself was quite good. There is a dish they are know for here that my boyfriend ended up having that hit the SPOT and I low key wish I ordered his meal instead (though mine was good too, just wasn't a fan of the French fries). I ordered the Milanesa de Pollo and he ordered the Lomo Saltado. Overall awesome meal, awesome time!
Tips
-They have happy hour every day!
-Ask if your meal includes beans (mine did not so I had a side order last minute)
-Can eat inside or outside, but I personally liked the outside vibe better!
Tips
-They have happy hour every day!
-Ask if your meal includes beans (mine did not so I had a side order last minute)
-Can eat inside or outside, but I personally liked the outside vibe better!
El Rancho Burritos
The 5 stars are for the food exclusively!
This place is a hole in the wall in Hell’s kitchen, and it’s so easy to miss. My bf took me here and I looked at him like ummm…sir what?? But you can’t judge a book by its cover and let me tell you why. I haven’t had a Chimichanga in like, 6 years. Dude. It was a daily special, but that ish was fuegooooo🔥🔥🔥. Definitely a truer authentic vibe than Chipotle hands down (with much more options)! The food is reasonably priced and just downright good, and that’s why 5 stars was the way to go.
Now this is more of a you order your food and you sit down on your own kind of place cause no one serves you.
As for the restaurant itself…let’s just say it’s a true hole in the wall. No bells and whistles, nothing fancy but there is outdoor seating and Spanish soap operas that play inside. It’s not cute and it’s cramped with boxes around, but ya know what, in a spot like this it just doesn’t matter. The food’s good and that should stay the main highlight of this review.
On Site:
—Bathroom (don’t worry, it’s not gross at all. It’s giving gas station vibes though)
—Outdoor Seating
—Fridge of different drinks
This place is a hole in the wall in Hell’s kitchen, and it’s so easy to miss. My bf took me here and I looked at him like ummm…sir what?? But you can’t judge a book by its cover and let me tell you why. I haven’t had a Chimichanga in like, 6 years. Dude. It was a daily special, but that ish was fuegooooo🔥🔥🔥. Definitely a truer authentic vibe than Chipotle hands down (with much more options)! The food is reasonably priced and just downright good, and that’s why 5 stars was the way to go.
Now this is more of a you order your food and you sit down on your own kind of place cause no one serves you.
As for the restaurant itself…let’s just say it’s a true hole in the wall. No bells and whistles, nothing fancy but there is outdoor seating and Spanish soap operas that play inside. It’s not cute and it’s cramped with boxes around, but ya know what, in a spot like this it just doesn’t matter. The food’s good and that should stay the main highlight of this review.
On Site:
—Bathroom (don’t worry, it’s not gross at all. It’s giving gas station vibes though)
—Outdoor Seating
—Fridge of different drinks