Scott Laine
Latest Reviews
Arthur Avenue Retail Market
The Arthur Avenue Retail Market is one of several public food halls across the city, including Essex Market (LES), Jamaica Farmers Market (Queens), La Marqueta (Harlem), and the Moore Street Market (Brooklyn).
The Arthur Avenue market opened in 1940 to serve the predominantly Italian neighborhood and still does to this day.
There are several vendors, including butchers, fresh produce sellers, dry goods, and at least one restaurant and sandwich joint.
I was running errands in the area and needed a sandwich, so I ordered a mortadella and broccoli raab sandwich from Mike's in the back on the right. They also offer many pre-made sandwiches if you are in a rush, but I like to order off the menu.
The butchers look great and have an assortment of specialties, including offal and fresh rabbits. I can't wait to see what they offer around Easter time.
There are a few tables near the bar in the back and as part of the restaurant, but it's hard to say if you are welcome to sit there to eat a sandwich. Regardless, it's a great spot to check out if you are walking along and want to pop into NYC, equivalent to a European food hall.
The Arthur Avenue market opened in 1940 to serve the predominantly Italian neighborhood and still does to this day.
There are several vendors, including butchers, fresh produce sellers, dry goods, and at least one restaurant and sandwich joint.
I was running errands in the area and needed a sandwich, so I ordered a mortadella and broccoli raab sandwich from Mike's in the back on the right. They also offer many pre-made sandwiches if you are in a rush, but I like to order off the menu.
The butchers look great and have an assortment of specialties, including offal and fresh rabbits. I can't wait to see what they offer around Easter time.
There are a few tables near the bar in the back and as part of the restaurant, but it's hard to say if you are welcome to sit there to eat a sandwich. Regardless, it's a great spot to check out if you are walking along and want to pop into NYC, equivalent to a European food hall.
The New Bridgeview Diner
A diner is a very specific type of restaurant and it's important that any diner stay true to what that means. The Bridgeview Diner is both classic and a model example of what a diner can and should be.
First, this place is busy all day long, because they serve food to anyone at anytime. No-one makes reservations for a diner. There is even parking and a ramp if you need a little help.
Like all great diners there are sections of the menu devoted to breakfast and burgers. Why? These are classic diner cuisine.
Once I ordered the Cole slaw and pickle were delivered. This is how you can tell a great diner, there pickles are amazing. So much so I ordered more.
For lunch I had a bacon burger and was thrilled that it came with not only fries but also two large onion rings. I love onion rings but ordering them seems decidant so to get them with my platter was nice.
My server saw fast and attentive. There were always two managers (captains) keeping an eye ensuring that no ones coffee went cold or water glasses were topped.
It's clear this spot is loved by local residents and I can see why.
I don’t live anywhere near here but I occasionally drive by, I thi k I will add this to my spots and when I'm in the area, I make sure to come in.
Oh, and true to its name, there is a great view of the Verazano Bridge.
First, this place is busy all day long, because they serve food to anyone at anytime. No-one makes reservations for a diner. There is even parking and a ramp if you need a little help.
Like all great diners there are sections of the menu devoted to breakfast and burgers. Why? These are classic diner cuisine.
Once I ordered the Cole slaw and pickle were delivered. This is how you can tell a great diner, there pickles are amazing. So much so I ordered more.
For lunch I had a bacon burger and was thrilled that it came with not only fries but also two large onion rings. I love onion rings but ordering them seems decidant so to get them with my platter was nice.
My server saw fast and attentive. There were always two managers (captains) keeping an eye ensuring that no ones coffee went cold or water glasses were topped.
It's clear this spot is loved by local residents and I can see why.
I don’t live anywhere near here but I occasionally drive by, I thi k I will add this to my spots and when I'm in the area, I make sure to come in.
Oh, and true to its name, there is a great view of the Verazano Bridge.
Hibino LIC
The essence of Japanese cuisine is simplicity and allowing quality ingredients to shine. Hibino is the physical manifestation of that mission, and it excels on all fronts.
With its simple open dining room of tan colored wood tables you could have stumbled upon this place in a small town anywhere in Japan.
Specials are presented on an adorable chalk board resting on a small kids chair.
The day we were there a young lady was managing the entire floor acting as both waiter, host and busboy and never missed a beat.
The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. We ordered a variety of sushi 🍣 and a couple of salads which were all excellent.
The bento box 🍱 seems to be the shining star and I will order one the next time I am there.
There is a lot to love on their diverse menu, reason enough to return.
While clearly a local favorite for those in the know, the adjacent 7 train station makes it a tempting alternative to Manhattan joints.
With its simple open dining room of tan colored wood tables you could have stumbled upon this place in a small town anywhere in Japan.
Specials are presented on an adorable chalk board resting on a small kids chair.
The day we were there a young lady was managing the entire floor acting as both waiter, host and busboy and never missed a beat.
The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. We ordered a variety of sushi 🍣 and a couple of salads which were all excellent.
The bento box 🍱 seems to be the shining star and I will order one the next time I am there.
There is a lot to love on their diverse menu, reason enough to return.
While clearly a local favorite for those in the know, the adjacent 7 train station makes it a tempting alternative to Manhattan joints.
La cevicheria by de Mole
We have been eating at the Sunnyside location for more than a decade and only just found out about this location, we ran right over.
Everything we love about the De Mole we know and love is omnipresent here.
The largest departure is the ceviche which given it’s name makes sense. We ordered the Veracruz and a number of tacos for lunch on our first visit.
The ceviche was delicious and full of fish, with just the right balance of acidity.
The tacos were of course excellent.
One of there promotions is an all inclusive bottomless brunch. While tempting, we drove so it wasn’t going to work on this visit but it seems like quite the deal.
When the waiter learned it had been my birthday the past week he brought a couple of additional small plates for us to enjoy. Also delicious!
This new (to us) outpost delivers on the every front and a great addition to the neighborhood.
Everything we love about the De Mole we know and love is omnipresent here.
The largest departure is the ceviche which given it’s name makes sense. We ordered the Veracruz and a number of tacos for lunch on our first visit.
The ceviche was delicious and full of fish, with just the right balance of acidity.
The tacos were of course excellent.
One of there promotions is an all inclusive bottomless brunch. While tempting, we drove so it wasn’t going to work on this visit but it seems like quite the deal.
When the waiter learned it had been my birthday the past week he brought a couple of additional small plates for us to enjoy. Also delicious!
This new (to us) outpost delivers on the every front and a great addition to the neighborhood.
Palace
New York City does not run on Dunkin, it runs on Diners, and the Palace is the palace of NYC diners.
My friend who took me here for the first time has been coming for 30 years! He walks in and everyone calls him by his name. Billy the waiter has been serving my friend the entire time and let me tell you they run a tight ship here.
I judge a diner by the cheeseburger deluxe (or a club sandwich). This is a staple that is made up of three major components. The burger, the toppings and the fries. Individually they are all spectacular here which is why they deserve this review.
Burger, juicy and just big enough that the bun holds it together but just barely. The tomato and lettuce are generous, ripe and fresh (crisp) and lastly the fries are salty and perfectly cooked with just a slight snap on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
If you are in the area this will become your new favorite spot and who knows, maybe you too will come for the next 30 years
My friend who took me here for the first time has been coming for 30 years! He walks in and everyone calls him by his name. Billy the waiter has been serving my friend the entire time and let me tell you they run a tight ship here.
I judge a diner by the cheeseburger deluxe (or a club sandwich). This is a staple that is made up of three major components. The burger, the toppings and the fries. Individually they are all spectacular here which is why they deserve this review.
Burger, juicy and just big enough that the bun holds it together but just barely. The tomato and lettuce are generous, ripe and fresh (crisp) and lastly the fries are salty and perfectly cooked with just a slight snap on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
If you are in the area this will become your new favorite spot and who knows, maybe you too will come for the next 30 years