Jennifer Y.
Latest Reviews
Paper Mill Playhouse
What an adorable theatre! To get here from Manhattan, you'll need to take the NJ Transit from NY Penn to Millburn Station. It's a short walk from the Millburn station to the theatre. Once you get off the train, turn left, walk down some stairs, cross a car street, keep walking straight, you'll cross over a bridge. Then you'll come to a sign that says 'Paper Mill this way' - turn right there, then follow the path all the way up to the theatre.
The theatre is very self sufficient in that it seems to house 2 parking lots (front and back), as well as a bar and theatre just outside the theatre itself. There is also various patio seating and benches both as part of the restaurant/bar and stand-alone for people waiting. It's lit up with lights and is just beautiful. I did not try the restaurant or bar but the food smells incredible - everyone was eating a creamy pasta dish that was mouth watering. I think it's recommended to reserve in advance.
Inside the theatre itself to the left is the box office and to the right is the concessions. Directly ahead and up some steps is the merch. I do not recommend going inside the theatre until maybe ~10 min before the show because it is a rather small space and there's nowhere for people to wait so they just crowd around awkwardly and it's not clear who's trying to get somewhere and who's just standing around waiting.
Inside the theatre, the orchestra seating is very, very angled which makes for excellent viewing! They are playing Gatsby right now starring Eva Noblezada and Jeremy Jordan who both have excellent voices. It's a sold out show but if you keep checking the website they will have (I think cancellation) seats pop up from time to time ranging from $125 to $200 each. There are also obstructed view seats for $65.
The theatre is very self sufficient in that it seems to house 2 parking lots (front and back), as well as a bar and theatre just outside the theatre itself. There is also various patio seating and benches both as part of the restaurant/bar and stand-alone for people waiting. It's lit up with lights and is just beautiful. I did not try the restaurant or bar but the food smells incredible - everyone was eating a creamy pasta dish that was mouth watering. I think it's recommended to reserve in advance.
Inside the theatre itself to the left is the box office and to the right is the concessions. Directly ahead and up some steps is the merch. I do not recommend going inside the theatre until maybe ~10 min before the show because it is a rather small space and there's nowhere for people to wait so they just crowd around awkwardly and it's not clear who's trying to get somewhere and who's just standing around waiting.
Inside the theatre, the orchestra seating is very, very angled which makes for excellent viewing! They are playing Gatsby right now starring Eva Noblezada and Jeremy Jordan who both have excellent voices. It's a sold out show but if you keep checking the website they will have (I think cancellation) seats pop up from time to time ranging from $125 to $200 each. There are also obstructed view seats for $65.
Hamilton
Located on the same street at Sweeney Todd and the Marriott Marquis - this is certainly a broadway hot spot. The theatre itself is set up quite nicely - the orchestra seating is angled so that you're not craning to see over those in front of you.
Both men's and women's bathrooms are located on the first floor. The lobby area is rather small and can get quite crowded but the theatre positions multiple ushers throughout to direct traffic. They are at times quite pushy and demanding about it though. Even the restrooms have ushers inside directing you to certain stalls. The lobby also houses the refreshments and merch sales so again, quite crowded.
Stage door is directly to the left right when you come out and they do allow stage dooring at this time. Security will let you know when no further actors will be coming out that day/evening after the show.
Hamilton has a separate app for lottery submissions - turn on notifications to be reminded to enter. If you lose the lottery often they will sometimes offer codes for discounted $99 tickets. Hamilton doesn't appear on TKTS but will appear on todaytix where tickets may go down to the $90s as well.
Personally for the show itself - the sets were pretty minimal. Although the songs were fun, there was a lot of rapping which made it hard to follow the storyline at times. I think this is definitely a show where you need to look up the lyrics or the synopsis prior to seeing it.
Both men's and women's bathrooms are located on the first floor. The lobby area is rather small and can get quite crowded but the theatre positions multiple ushers throughout to direct traffic. They are at times quite pushy and demanding about it though. Even the restrooms have ushers inside directing you to certain stalls. The lobby also houses the refreshments and merch sales so again, quite crowded.
Stage door is directly to the left right when you come out and they do allow stage dooring at this time. Security will let you know when no further actors will be coming out that day/evening after the show.
Hamilton has a separate app for lottery submissions - turn on notifications to be reminded to enter. If you lose the lottery often they will sometimes offer codes for discounted $99 tickets. Hamilton doesn't appear on TKTS but will appear on todaytix where tickets may go down to the $90s as well.
Personally for the show itself - the sets were pretty minimal. Although the songs were fun, there was a lot of rapping which made it hard to follow the storyline at times. I think this is definitely a show where you need to look up the lyrics or the synopsis prior to seeing it.
Bread Story
A wonderful place to stop by on a lazy weekend morning for a pastry/breakfast. They do an excellent job here of baking things fresh and I believe even had a list of what times they bake certain items. Some of the staff appear to be French as they were discussing in French with some customers. Light and airy ambiance - not much place to dawdle if you're looking to eat in.
Ham and Cheese Croissant - not a fan of the cheese they chose (a soft cheese) which is unfortunate since the croissant was lovely. A little burnt since they retoasted it before serving.
Mini Brioche - fresh and flaky and lovely. Highly recommend.
Ham and Cheese Croissant - not a fan of the cheese they chose (a soft cheese) which is unfortunate since the croissant was lovely. A little burnt since they retoasted it before serving.
Mini Brioche - fresh and flaky and lovely. Highly recommend.
Shabu House
Honestly the best hot pot place I've tried in Houston - especially for the price. $12.95 for your own personal hot pot.
There are 3 steps: pick a broth, pick a sauce and pick a meat. Personally I always choose 'original pork bone' 'garlic and sesame oil sauce' and 'supreme angus beef combo.' It says combo but all the hot pots come with the same vegetables and noodles from what I've seen. The combos include chinese bok choy, radish, sweet potato, tofu, tomato, two types of noodles (clear, and thick like ramen), thin/long mushrooms, and cabbage. In order to flavor the soup properly I recommend adding the mushrooms, radish and bok choy first. You can tear these into bite sizes for easy eating.
The garlic and sesame oil sauce has no added salt in it from what I can tell - I recommend adding a bit from the table as it's a bit bland.
The meat quality is medium - there's decent marbling but it could definitely be softer and be sliced thinner. For the price I feel like it's very decent.
There are also four add-ons that come with the table including garlic, crushed pepper oil, and green onions. I recommend adding a couple spoonfuls of each of these to the soup as it gives it a nice kick.
The hot plate is pretty easy to handle. I don't speak chinese but what I've gathered is that the far right button (two concentric circles) is the on/off button. The middle right button is high heat, and the middle left button is low heat. I've no idea what the far left button is but I never had to touch it.
This establishment is incredibly clean. The vegetables seem well washed, the tables don't feel sticky, everything seems new and in great shape. And of course each hot pot is individual so if you're someone who doesn't like sharing germs that could be a plus.
There are 3 steps: pick a broth, pick a sauce and pick a meat. Personally I always choose 'original pork bone' 'garlic and sesame oil sauce' and 'supreme angus beef combo.' It says combo but all the hot pots come with the same vegetables and noodles from what I've seen. The combos include chinese bok choy, radish, sweet potato, tofu, tomato, two types of noodles (clear, and thick like ramen), thin/long mushrooms, and cabbage. In order to flavor the soup properly I recommend adding the mushrooms, radish and bok choy first. You can tear these into bite sizes for easy eating.
The garlic and sesame oil sauce has no added salt in it from what I can tell - I recommend adding a bit from the table as it's a bit bland.
The meat quality is medium - there's decent marbling but it could definitely be softer and be sliced thinner. For the price I feel like it's very decent.
There are also four add-ons that come with the table including garlic, crushed pepper oil, and green onions. I recommend adding a couple spoonfuls of each of these to the soup as it gives it a nice kick.
The hot plate is pretty easy to handle. I don't speak chinese but what I've gathered is that the far right button (two concentric circles) is the on/off button. The middle right button is high heat, and the middle left button is low heat. I've no idea what the far left button is but I never had to touch it.
This establishment is incredibly clean. The vegetables seem well washed, the tables don't feel sticky, everything seems new and in great shape. And of course each hot pot is individual so if you're someone who doesn't like sharing germs that could be a plus.