A B
Latest Reviews
Farm country supermarket
Large, spacious, well stocked, and steeply priced. I'm excited they have several classic Dominican products 🇩🇴, which have been hard to find in Astoria, like Malta India, Cafe Santo Domingo, dulce de leche, palito de coco (1.99 "grocery" item), etc. Sadly, the palito de coco was dry and stiff but I'm still excited to see Dominican sweets. I'm looking forward to trying the others.
The store is pretty pricey. For example, Stok hovers around $5.99 to now $6.99 (which is ridiculous, coming from an avid Stok fan) in the area, and CVS regularly has it on sale. Here they charge over $10.25, HIGHWAY ROBBERY. As someone who buys 4 and 5 bottles at a time (since they hold ~ 4 servings), I reserved that purchase for a later trip to another retailer.
By the way, their reusable bags are a sturdy green non-woven material ($0.50). They accept SNAP/ food stamp benefits, OTC cards, and credit cards.
The store is pretty pricey. For example, Stok hovers around $5.99 to now $6.99 (which is ridiculous, coming from an avid Stok fan) in the area, and CVS regularly has it on sale. Here they charge over $10.25, HIGHWAY ROBBERY. As someone who buys 4 and 5 bottles at a time (since they hold ~ 4 servings), I reserved that purchase for a later trip to another retailer.
By the way, their reusable bags are a sturdy green non-woven material ($0.50). They accept SNAP/ food stamp benefits, OTC cards, and credit cards.
Habichuelas con Dulce
So many treats! Bring cash
Arroz con dulce, chaca/maíz crackiao, habichuelas con dulce (con galleticas de leche), trigo con dulce, and majarete
They run out fast. By 6 pm they only had dulce de habichuelas
Prices (for habichuelas):
$2 - small coffee cup
$3 - small to-go container
$8 - large to-go container
Hours: Mon - Sun until 8 pm
● I visited at 7 pm on Sun, so no line!
● Nice, respectful service.
● This is a small WoC business run from an ice cream/hotdog cart with the treats in large hot thermal containers.
● Authentic Dominican homemade dulces! I found her by word of mouth and drove 1 hour to visit
● They serve your dessert(s) in front of you with a laddle, upon ordering. Mine was still hot at 7 pm!
Arroz con dulce, chaca/maíz crackiao, habichuelas con dulce (con galleticas de leche), trigo con dulce, and majarete
They run out fast. By 6 pm they only had dulce de habichuelas
Prices (for habichuelas):
$2 - small coffee cup
$3 - small to-go container
$8 - large to-go container
Hours: Mon - Sun until 8 pm
● I visited at 7 pm on Sun, so no line!
● Nice, respectful service.
● This is a small WoC business run from an ice cream/hotdog cart with the treats in large hot thermal containers.
● Authentic Dominican homemade dulces! I found her by word of mouth and drove 1 hour to visit
● They serve your dessert(s) in front of you with a laddle, upon ordering. Mine was still hot at 7 pm!
The Atrium
Beautiful free PUBLIC space with many private restaurants (that have limited f any, seating). The chairs, tables, and booths are available for anyone so it's a bit first come first serve.
The Museum at FIT
This is FIT's fashion design and construction museum in Chelsea. It's open on weekends (starting on Thurs), and has free entry.
The exhibits vary and change often.
Re: May exhibit
The museum is tastefully curated with designers through the ages. They even have Anne Lowe and one of her debutante ball gowns on display! She designed dresses for *First Lady Jackie O Kennedy* and other socialites, and it's easy to see why. See the stunning white gown embellished with white appliques in the pictures attached.
The environment is low-lit and has cool temperatures to preserve the integrity of the materials. *Flash photography is also prohibited for this reason.*
Re: May exhibit
Enjoy the intricate details, flounces, sequins, and drapery constructed meticulously from fine fabrics and more modern materials like denim. The garments are accompanied by placards with info about the designers and their sensibilities.
You can easily spend about 20 mins (to an hour, depending on the exhibit) viewing the 2 galleries (even more if you're a design aficionado!). The museum is situated on Fashion Institute of Technology's college campus, a corner of Chelsea with stylish flair.
No luggage, food, beverages, videos, or flash photography allowed.
The exhibits vary and change often.
Re: May exhibit
The museum is tastefully curated with designers through the ages. They even have Anne Lowe and one of her debutante ball gowns on display! She designed dresses for *First Lady Jackie O Kennedy* and other socialites, and it's easy to see why. See the stunning white gown embellished with white appliques in the pictures attached.
The environment is low-lit and has cool temperatures to preserve the integrity of the materials. *Flash photography is also prohibited for this reason.*
Re: May exhibit
Enjoy the intricate details, flounces, sequins, and drapery constructed meticulously from fine fabrics and more modern materials like denim. The garments are accompanied by placards with info about the designers and their sensibilities.
You can easily spend about 20 mins (to an hour, depending on the exhibit) viewing the 2 galleries (even more if you're a design aficionado!). The museum is situated on Fashion Institute of Technology's college campus, a corner of Chelsea with stylish flair.
No luggage, food, beverages, videos, or flash photography allowed.
Pollos A La Brasa Mario
Pollos Mario is a cute mom and pop style Colombian restaurant serving authentic Colombian cuisine. Its the kind of easy-going family-friendly environment where it's safe to let your toddler sit and play with siblings while you all enjoy a casual meal.
The staff are bilingual, polite, and helpful in interpreting the myriad traditional platters. I believe Pollos Mario has other locations, but this one's a local favorite operated by the same friendly staff over the years.
The ambiance is akin to a quaint courtyard in the countryside of Latin American. The restaurant walls are colorful and there are ample windows for natural sunshine in the day. The lovely faux orange 🍊 tree at the center of the venue has branches that soften the overhead lighting as they extend across the room with their "fruit" and "leaves".
I sat in their vintage balcony wing with Spanish tile "roofing" that overlooks the rest of the dining area and sits among the tree's leaves. There are additional tables on the ground level, some beneath the tree's shade, and larger tables off towards the sides. There are TVs all around so everyone can watch the same thing regardless of seating orientation.
Expect to watch Spanish Football matches as soon as the season starts! They play all the major games and fans love to watch (cheer and groan) over meals with family. It can turn into a family affair, so don't be surprised if you hear a 6 year old relaying the scores and latest tantalizing play by play.
It's a great wholesome experience and breath of fresh air for those longing for some old fashioned comfort foods from home. Will definitely be back.
The staff are bilingual, polite, and helpful in interpreting the myriad traditional platters. I believe Pollos Mario has other locations, but this one's a local favorite operated by the same friendly staff over the years.
The ambiance is akin to a quaint courtyard in the countryside of Latin American. The restaurant walls are colorful and there are ample windows for natural sunshine in the day. The lovely faux orange 🍊 tree at the center of the venue has branches that soften the overhead lighting as they extend across the room with their "fruit" and "leaves".
I sat in their vintage balcony wing with Spanish tile "roofing" that overlooks the rest of the dining area and sits among the tree's leaves. There are additional tables on the ground level, some beneath the tree's shade, and larger tables off towards the sides. There are TVs all around so everyone can watch the same thing regardless of seating orientation.
Expect to watch Spanish Football matches as soon as the season starts! They play all the major games and fans love to watch (cheer and groan) over meals with family. It can turn into a family affair, so don't be surprised if you hear a 6 year old relaying the scores and latest tantalizing play by play.
It's a great wholesome experience and breath of fresh air for those longing for some old fashioned comfort foods from home. Will definitely be back.