Catherine H.'s Profile

If you, like the boyfriend, fear a giant, loud, overdone SEA-esque eatery, fear not. We came here for a family dinner and the food was really good. 'Specially the apps/small plates: we can definitely vouch for the dumplings, braised pork, and calamari. I had the country curry soup with tofu, which was yums; boyfriend declared his massaman curry one of the best he's had in recent memory or some such superlative. And they brought us free beer (or wine) -- unlimited -- because they don't yet have a liquor license. Server was uncommonly nice, let us take forever to order and didn't try to rush us out even though the place was filling up and we were hogging three tables between us. The decor is clean and modern and pleasing, the music isn't too loud (except in the bathrooms, which may make you think you're in a club circa 1999), and the prices are very reasonable (meeting my dad's request of an "economical" spot). My new go-to Union Square restaurant!

This was the spot for a friend's 30th-birthday party, and it was pretty fab. I could have sat there all night as they kept bringing out tiny tasty bites paired wthl ovely wines. And it's a really cute place, too. But seriously folks: Go for the bread. I must have eaten three slices (woe is you, diet). So deliciously chewy on the inside, so awesomely crunchy at the crusts. Some nice butter and sea salt = HEAVEN. And I'm not even that much of a bread person. It's been days and I'm still thinking longingly of that bread. Mmmm, bread.

Absolutely my new go-to Union Square-area restaurant. Good, healthy food (yay, Brussels sprouts!) that's pretty inexpensive. And they've done a lot with the decor for what was clearly a pretty crappy space. Service was on the meh side but good enough. Be forewarned: This place was hoppin' on a Wednesday night around 6:30 -- we waited a good 20 minutes to be seated. But it was worth it in the end. Yum.

Gorgeous theater. Gotta do something about that awful piss smell in the ladies' bathroom, though. Perhaps a ventilation system? Or maybe Beck fans aren't the greatest flushers in the world. Oy. Who knows. Cute that they sell popcorn, not so cute that they charge $7 for little cups of beer. Sound was a little muddy even two rows in front of the soundboard, and just (almost) clear of the balcony overhang. I don't know if the ornateness is quite enough to make up for all that, especially when added to the way-out location (for me, anyway). A word to the wise: the row of seats in front of the soundboard was unsold, meaning enterprising concertgoers could probably sneak there and sit if so inclined.

Me and Moim, well, in the immortal (and slightly paraphrased) words of the cast of Grease: we go together like shu bop shu wanna wanna yippity be bim bop! So good! I've only had Korean food a couple of times in my life, but this kinda blew me away with how delicious it was. Spare ribs were great, bi bim bop amazing (get the egg), dumplings very good, meatballs good, kimchi stew kinda just okay. Had an awesome, filling meal with my boyfriend and two friends in a nicely designed space, with a nice, attentive, helpful waiter and a friendly owner. Doesn't get much better than that. And then we ran the hell out of there so we could go watch the veep debate.

The Bell House, from the folks who brought you Union Hall, is a fantastic addition to the list of Brooklyn music venues: It's a gorgeous space, with a cozy front bar and a large, wide performance room with an elevated side bar and booths along the back wall. And pretty chandeliers! Basically it's Union Hall, but the focus is on bands, not bocce. I love seeing shows at Union Hall, but the stage is too low, and with this size space, they'll be able to pull in some bigger bands. Which: yay! The only (slight) downside is that it's in desolate Gowanus, but when else might you have to pause for reflection while you wait for a bridge to come down on your way to the show? Plus it's a shorter walk/cab ride from my house than Union Hall, so it's all good. ALL GOOD IN THE HOOD. Can't wait to see how this place develops.

For my first taste of Ethiopian, Ghenet was pretty damn good. There was a lot of discussion at our table about the combo plates and whether to get them or not, given that they suggest whole entrees will be coming your way at a ridiculously cheap price compared with the price for a single entrees. We ended up going with one vegetarian combo for two (eight little piles of different foods) and one Ghenet combo for two (six little piles of food, two of which are meat). I would disagree with other posters that a combo for two can feed more than two, though. Anyway, I was unaware of the Ethiopian way of eating, which apparently involves crepe-like things instead of utensils. So, if you go here, like crepes. Kinda bizarre but fun. I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere, decor and service, and the food was pretty good too. Some things were pretty spicy; others not so much. Also: honey wine! As advertised. Crazy but good. Next time we'll try some appetizers and maybe branch out to the non-combo'd entrees. And I do think there will be a next time.

Brunch thoughts: Interesting menu with a somewhat-weird emphasis on Southern food. I saw a plate of the biscuits and gravy coming out and I think I got a contact cholesterol high. My friend ordered the pancakes, a great dish for cheapos: You can get just one (very large) pancake for $4--she got two, as she is eating for two. They were quite yummy but oddly adorned with raisins and apples in this season of strawberries and such. Is this or is this place not about farm-fresh ingredients? I think I misordered, on the advice of the waiter. I got the beef and hominy hash, which was basically a patty of slop on a lake of hollandaise with a couple of sunny-side-up eggs and a mess of arugula on top. Weird dish. Not too tasty. Still, the place was cute. I'd go back and order something else, I think.

We liked the duck, and there was a LOT of food that came with it (get the duck special if you go and you will be full), but it didn't exactly blow us away. This is gonna sound kinda obvious, but it's true: Not as good as in China!

This place could be the cutest little tapas bar that ever was, and it is pretty cute, but that doesn't excuse the totally indifferent/silent/surly bartender girl, who was more concerned with her earrings and tapping on her iPhone than attending to our needs. Whatta bizatch. We would have stayed for dinner, but she was so unpleasant we left after a single tapa (does "tapas" have a singular?), even though it was quite mouth-melty. Overall: meh.