Hello and welcome to my first official food critic review for the spring of 2009. I know that some of you have been eagerly awaiting my next restaurant critique, so it is my honor to present:
Sparks Steakhouse
210 E. 46th St.
New York NY
4.1 out of 5 stars
I have been enthusiastic about going to this steakhouse for a long time. It is a top rated establishment and for a good reason. In addition, many people have told me of their high quality dishes. Although I was thoroughly impressed, I cannot honestly say that it is the best steak restaurant in New York City.
I was seated along with four other people; these were friends and friends of friends. The staff seemed nice enough, but the service was nothing more than above average. I ordered the filet mignon with a side of hash browns. Let me first say that this establishment is quite expensive, it requires the kind of money which normally only gets spent on very special occasions. However, I do realize that all of the top ten steakhouses here charge similar prices, so in that aspect, Sparks is not so unique. My steak arrived, and I remarked on the fact that it was a reasonably large cut of meat. It should be noted that Sparks only has one size for their steak, so you don’t select a small or large cut of meat. I found the steak to be well done on the outside but a little too undercooked on the inside, so I sent it back. (I ordered the steak medium, this was my fault, I should have and normally do order it medium well done). When it arrived, it was much hotter. It had a very nice flavor with a touch of seasoning. It cut very easily, however, not as smoothly as in other steak houses. It had a rich flavor, and was very filling. As a matter of fact, I took some home with me so that I could compare the food quality on the next day. I particularly enjoyed the hash browns: they were crispy (a must for me), and seasoned well with spices and a little salt. Furthermore, the next day I ate the rest of my steak, which raised the level of my rating because it passed the test for next day quality. (Yes, I do have a test, and no it is not multiple-choice, more of a pop quiz).
Therefore, the food part of my experience was very positive. The service, on the other hand, was spotty. Our waiter gave us a problem when we asked to pay for the meal with credit cards; he said two credit cards maximum could be used per group. I just found the staff to be adequately nice, but nothing that made me feel really welcome. Nevertheless, and especially if you have ever read my reviews before, you know that I value food over everything else including décor and service, so I mostly based my rating on the quality of the food.
Recommendations: Try it for yourself! As I said, it's pricy, I'm sure someone like the captain (Derek Jeter) could easily afford it, but for a colluge student like myself it really hurts your budget. I am still on a quest to find the best steak in the city, but I can only freach my destination by trying one place at a time.
Until next time,
Dan the food critic man
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
better to have blogged without comments then not to have blogged at all
Where are you, world? Haven't I posted stimulating topics for you to vote on and to discuss? And yet, still, no one comments or votes on this blog.
I would like to see this site become a portal for people, both with disabilities and without, to chat about current issues that are affecting their lives. I do feel, strongly, that people with disabilities are especially alienated from each other, and I was wishing that this blog should be a place for us to unite.
However, I can not help others if they don't help themselves. So, with that being said, come one, come all, and post comments, thoughts, or propose a subject for me to blog about.
Side note: it's 1 am, I have a test tomorrow, and I can't sleep, which has absolutely nothing to do with what I just said, but it does worry me. If you are not already aware, people who are blind can sometimes have a particularly tough time with sleeping. This might be due to a lack of melatonan which regulates all of our sleep cycles.
If you want to comment, please click on the link with the title of the blog posting, and on the next page there should be a box in which you can place your thoughts.
On that note, I am going to bed. Thank you all for your ongoing support, you can always count on me to take the non-A-Rod route, in other words: integrity, honesty, and never choking.
Dan
I would like to see this site become a portal for people, both with disabilities and without, to chat about current issues that are affecting their lives. I do feel, strongly, that people with disabilities are especially alienated from each other, and I was wishing that this blog should be a place for us to unite.
However, I can not help others if they don't help themselves. So, with that being said, come one, come all, and post comments, thoughts, or propose a subject for me to blog about.
Side note: it's 1 am, I have a test tomorrow, and I can't sleep, which has absolutely nothing to do with what I just said, but it does worry me. If you are not already aware, people who are blind can sometimes have a particularly tough time with sleeping. This might be due to a lack of melatonan which regulates all of our sleep cycles.
If you want to comment, please click on the link with the title of the blog posting, and on the next page there should be a box in which you can place your thoughts.
On that note, I am going to bed. Thank you all for your ongoing support, you can always count on me to take the non-A-Rod route, in other words: integrity, honesty, and never choking.
Dan
Saturday, March 14, 2009
It's time for dan's new food critic review: Dumont Burger
Hello, I have a food critique review which I think will stir up some controversy:
Dumont Burger
314 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn NY
3.8 out of 5 stars
Rule #1 of Dan’s food experiences: “Lower your expectations!”
I will admit that I was expecting an epic meal when I traveled all the way from the upper east side of Manhattan to Dumont’s. After all, it was rated number one in this year’s Zagat survey. Well, I can’t say it is the best burger around, but I certainly had a very nice experience. My friends, on the other hand, were influenced by the hype and, in my opinion, didn’t truly appreciate the hamburgers.
Here is what Zagat’s survey had to say about Dumont’s:
“Williamsburgers can “stop cooking at home” thanks to this “easygoing joint” serving “artful” yet “cheap” New American standards; a “hip crowd” convenes in the “inviting” interior or “Zen-like garden”, or hits the Bedford Avenue mini spin-off for “awesome” burgers and sandwiches.”
This review is somewhat accurate, but it slightly differs from my experience. When I entered this establishment, it felt small and crowded, which was the reality. It is much smaller; at least I imagine it is, then the actual Dumont’s restaurant. After a long wait for a table, I was greeted by a stool and, essentially, a counter to eat off of. I thought we were getting bad seats, (I am totally blind of course so I couldn’t see where everyone else was sitting). However, this is the set up for the entire restaurant, which makes it even worse. There was not much ambiance to speak of, however there was a large party present, therefore I can’t necessarily judge it just on this night. I found the wait staff to be above average, nothing really special but more than adequate.
Now, on to the food: I ordered a hamburger with mushrooms, onions, and gruyere cheese. First of all, let me say that it took a very long time for the food to arrive. Granted, once again, that there was a party which I’m sure occupied the cooks, but this still cost Dumont some points. I must say that the burger was very good: the patty was well-seasoned, the bun tasted homemade and fresh, and the toppings were very tasty. The French fries were very delicious, I suppose I was expecting frozen fries but these were crispy (almost fresh?) and salted perfectly. I tasted my friend’s onion rings, and those too were excellent. The waitress said that they use secret seasonings and hoi sin sauce with the beef that is formed into patties, and she might be correct. The hamburger definitely had a distinct flavor, but I could not tell what spices it contained. Dan’s rule number 2: every food critic review must contain a formulaic calculation:
Here is how I rated Dumont: I started with 4 stars for the food by itself, and then I had to figure how much to discount for all the negative factors:
1. little ambiance 2. Long wait time for food 3. Expensive ($17 for a burger, really?).
However, food is king, and all of these factors only lowered my score to 3.8.
Recommendations:
This restaurant is very good and definitely makes a high-quality hamburger. However, I am hesitant to recommend that you should travel from outside of Brooklyn to go there, and I definitely disagree with Zagat’s “number 1 burger” label. I still think that Rare bar and grill (see previous review if you missed it) makes the best burgers in the city. Some say that award should go to shake shack, and maybe that is true, but only because of its value. Feel free to disagree with me, no; in fact, I encourage this discussion!
Which restaurant in New York City makes the best burger?
Dan
Dumont Burger
314 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn NY
3.8 out of 5 stars
Rule #1 of Dan’s food experiences: “Lower your expectations!”
I will admit that I was expecting an epic meal when I traveled all the way from the upper east side of Manhattan to Dumont’s. After all, it was rated number one in this year’s Zagat survey. Well, I can’t say it is the best burger around, but I certainly had a very nice experience. My friends, on the other hand, were influenced by the hype and, in my opinion, didn’t truly appreciate the hamburgers.
Here is what Zagat’s survey had to say about Dumont’s:
“Williamsburgers can “stop cooking at home” thanks to this “easygoing joint” serving “artful” yet “cheap” New American standards; a “hip crowd” convenes in the “inviting” interior or “Zen-like garden”, or hits the Bedford Avenue mini spin-off for “awesome” burgers and sandwiches.”
This review is somewhat accurate, but it slightly differs from my experience. When I entered this establishment, it felt small and crowded, which was the reality. It is much smaller; at least I imagine it is, then the actual Dumont’s restaurant. After a long wait for a table, I was greeted by a stool and, essentially, a counter to eat off of. I thought we were getting bad seats, (I am totally blind of course so I couldn’t see where everyone else was sitting). However, this is the set up for the entire restaurant, which makes it even worse. There was not much ambiance to speak of, however there was a large party present, therefore I can’t necessarily judge it just on this night. I found the wait staff to be above average, nothing really special but more than adequate.
Now, on to the food: I ordered a hamburger with mushrooms, onions, and gruyere cheese. First of all, let me say that it took a very long time for the food to arrive. Granted, once again, that there was a party which I’m sure occupied the cooks, but this still cost Dumont some points. I must say that the burger was very good: the patty was well-seasoned, the bun tasted homemade and fresh, and the toppings were very tasty. The French fries were very delicious, I suppose I was expecting frozen fries but these were crispy (almost fresh?) and salted perfectly. I tasted my friend’s onion rings, and those too were excellent. The waitress said that they use secret seasonings and hoi sin sauce with the beef that is formed into patties, and she might be correct. The hamburger definitely had a distinct flavor, but I could not tell what spices it contained. Dan’s rule number 2: every food critic review must contain a formulaic calculation:
Here is how I rated Dumont: I started with 4 stars for the food by itself, and then I had to figure how much to discount for all the negative factors:
1. little ambiance 2. Long wait time for food 3. Expensive ($17 for a burger, really?).
However, food is king, and all of these factors only lowered my score to 3.8.
Recommendations:
This restaurant is very good and definitely makes a high-quality hamburger. However, I am hesitant to recommend that you should travel from outside of Brooklyn to go there, and I definitely disagree with Zagat’s “number 1 burger” label. I still think that Rare bar and grill (see previous review if you missed it) makes the best burgers in the city. Some say that award should go to shake shack, and maybe that is true, but only because of its value. Feel free to disagree with me, no; in fact, I encourage this discussion!
Which restaurant in New York City makes the best burger?
Dan
Sunday, March 8, 2009
read this, comment on this, or else!
So why is it so hard to meet new people and make new friends? Some of you might say that we live in a huge city which makes the friendship process extremely difficult, and you may be right.
However, for my part, I have the extra issue of being blind. Now, no, this is not a pity party. I don't want, actually I really never want, to be pitied as someone who has a disability. For the same reason, please don't look at me as some kind of hero. "Oh Daniel, you can dress yourself? You can cross the street? How do you do that?" I'll answer all of your questions, then that's it.
Who am I? I don't know, but on my list of characteristics (American, New Yorker, Jewish, Yankees fan, etc), being blind ranks close to the bottom.
Anyway, for all of these reasons, it is difficult for me socially. I just hope that the world understands this, I have tried going to bars, joining clubs, going to meet up groups, and all of these techniques have their benefits. Furthermore, don't think that I will stop doing these things; you will still see me at the bar, in a Lehman club, or hanging out with a meet up group. However, I have yet to find a solution.
Sometimes I feel like people don't, can't, or won't get past the exterior. Will I forever be that guy with a cane in his hand, or will I be,...
Just Dan.
I don't know, I have more questions than answers, but my plan is to stay positive about life. I think as soon as I start thinking negative thoughts, then bad things can happen.
I use this blog to express my deepest feelings, so let me be honest. I didn't like writing this blog today. I feel like I am preaching, like I am whining or complaining. I like to have a sense of humor in all things and now, looking over this Microsoft word page, I see none of it. Therefore, let me end my statement as follows:
In these hard times, let's try to keep a bright outlook. Don't lie to me, but I feel that if I think positive then positive things might happen. After all, if I got bogged down with all the nonsense going on right now, I would not be as productive. (I do have a full load of classes and 240 hours of internship to complete, that's busy enough for me) I would be interested to hear all of your comments on this, if you are reading this on facebook, please remember that you can read my entire blog at
www.blindblogny.blogspot.com
Tomorrow is the start of a new week, spring is around the corner! Good night New York City, and I will talk to you soon.
D
However, for my part, I have the extra issue of being blind. Now, no, this is not a pity party. I don't want, actually I really never want, to be pitied as someone who has a disability. For the same reason, please don't look at me as some kind of hero. "Oh Daniel, you can dress yourself? You can cross the street? How do you do that?" I'll answer all of your questions, then that's it.
Who am I? I don't know, but on my list of characteristics (American, New Yorker, Jewish, Yankees fan, etc), being blind ranks close to the bottom.
Anyway, for all of these reasons, it is difficult for me socially. I just hope that the world understands this, I have tried going to bars, joining clubs, going to meet up groups, and all of these techniques have their benefits. Furthermore, don't think that I will stop doing these things; you will still see me at the bar, in a Lehman club, or hanging out with a meet up group. However, I have yet to find a solution.
Sometimes I feel like people don't, can't, or won't get past the exterior. Will I forever be that guy with a cane in his hand, or will I be,...
Just Dan.
I don't know, I have more questions than answers, but my plan is to stay positive about life. I think as soon as I start thinking negative thoughts, then bad things can happen.
I use this blog to express my deepest feelings, so let me be honest. I didn't like writing this blog today. I feel like I am preaching, like I am whining or complaining. I like to have a sense of humor in all things and now, looking over this Microsoft word page, I see none of it. Therefore, let me end my statement as follows:
In these hard times, let's try to keep a bright outlook. Don't lie to me, but I feel that if I think positive then positive things might happen. After all, if I got bogged down with all the nonsense going on right now, I would not be as productive. (I do have a full load of classes and 240 hours of internship to complete, that's busy enough for me) I would be interested to hear all of your comments on this, if you are reading this on facebook, please remember that you can read my entire blog at
www.blindblogny.blogspot.com
Tomorrow is the start of a new week, spring is around the corner! Good night New York City, and I will talk to you soon.
D
Thursday, March 5, 2009
guess who's back?
Greetings to all:
I have been sick for the last week and a half, so excuse me if this blog comes out a little random.
1: Please comment on the blog, otherwise how will I know who is out there?
2. The A-rod "injury", and note that I used quotes around that word, might be devistating for my team the yankees, but I am just about fed up with all of the a-rod headlines.
3. If you learn one thing today, it should be to mind your own business. Today at my internship, I had an "incident" with a staff member who decided that it was her job to monitor me, and to judge me regardless of what the facts were. I admit it: I got frustrated, and yes, a little angry. Excuse me for saying this, but don't tell me how to do my job, especially if you are not my supervisor. I think that nurses and doctors should stick to medicine, lawyers should continue doing work related to the law, and leave the counseling of people with disabilities to the real social workers, even if that means letting a soon-to-be college graduate take control over a situation which can be tense or challenging at times!
Ok, that was a bit harsh, sorry. I just had to say it, regardless to the consequences, I hope someone understands or has gone through the same thing before. I hate to end blogs on a negative note, so let me say this:
I miss Mtv. Yes, I mean the old mtv. Not the current channel with so many reality shows, I mean to say "music television", with actual videos. I prey that this country gets on the right track, and I wish the best for all of you.
Sincerely,
Dan the man
I have been sick for the last week and a half, so excuse me if this blog comes out a little random.
1: Please comment on the blog, otherwise how will I know who is out there?
2. The A-rod "injury", and note that I used quotes around that word, might be devistating for my team the yankees, but I am just about fed up with all of the a-rod headlines.
3. If you learn one thing today, it should be to mind your own business. Today at my internship, I had an "incident" with a staff member who decided that it was her job to monitor me, and to judge me regardless of what the facts were. I admit it: I got frustrated, and yes, a little angry. Excuse me for saying this, but don't tell me how to do my job, especially if you are not my supervisor. I think that nurses and doctors should stick to medicine, lawyers should continue doing work related to the law, and leave the counseling of people with disabilities to the real social workers, even if that means letting a soon-to-be college graduate take control over a situation which can be tense or challenging at times!
Ok, that was a bit harsh, sorry. I just had to say it, regardless to the consequences, I hope someone understands or has gone through the same thing before. I hate to end blogs on a negative note, so let me say this:
I miss Mtv. Yes, I mean the old mtv. Not the current channel with so many reality shows, I mean to say "music television", with actual videos. I prey that this country gets on the right track, and I wish the best for all of you.
Sincerely,
Dan the man
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