I tried this hand roll spot today at lunch. It is in that teeny strip mall across from Krispy Kreme on Orlando Ave (south of Fairbanks) called City Place. It may have been in the running for a Fav slot had I not had to run into a Taco Bell (ironic) bathroom ten minutes after and then again when I got home. If those were the only facts, I would have been reluctant to point the finger at them. However, it came out of nowhere and was accompanied by stomach cramps. It was probably one of the mushy fish rolls they served me. I had the six hand rolls for $36. The salmon and toro had little flavor. The yellowtail had a fishy flavor. The bay scallops, lobster and crab were better. The crab was likely king crab (or snow). A salad spread. Same with the lobster (Maine). The lobster did taste a little off. Either frozen or from non-prime regions of the body. The bay scallops seemed like they were cut into smaller pieces. Semi-sweet. Mayo. The rice was short grain and fine. The nori was thin and dry. Didn't choke you or need to be chewed forty seven times. They are all hand rolls. Cigar shaped. Not packed tightly. Stuff fell out. They were instructing the guy making mine. All the staff seemed Latin. At $6 a roll, pricing is in line or low for some of these ingredients. That's a plus. Serving size was ok. Actually generous for the crab and lobster. But, let's hope they weren't responsible for my digestive issues. They also offer a 3,4,5 roll assortment ($19-$30). And individual rolls from $5 (cucumber) to $9 (toro and lobster). 14 in all. A $38 omakase (I didn't want the yam or eel). Three "tastings" ($9-$14). Beer. Sake. Soda. Tea. 2 Cocktails. Service was quick (only two others there with me). They started the next one the moment I was finished. They had around seven people on staff. "Chefs" with white chef jackets. Others in black uniforms. Nice clay plates and bowls. The place is a long rectangle with an elongated oval bar. 28 seats. Black, gray and wood. A clear glass refrigerator in the rear with hanging salmon and tuna. It looks posh. Kabooki guy. With all the ridiculously priced raw fish places that have strained credulity in the past two years, this is actually an affordable experience by comparison. That honors a normal hours and days. And doesn't require reservations. It is open every day for lunch (11:30-3pm) and dinner (5p-10p). They add in a 18% tip. Menu seems seasonal. Open (soft) for two weeks. Parking may be an issue. Although my week in NY probably softened up my wallet's gag reflex, I still had 66 pieces of tuna, salmon and shrimp nigiri at Koy Wan the day before for $12. And no health issues. I ask you - which is the smarter call? That said. Do both. *FYI -- I tried to try Kappy's as well (again). I now know why the went under.
*Travel Notes - New York: I flew (2p & 5p) Frontier to LGA for $106. No lines or delays either way. I used a coupon at Budget and paid nothing (was $202) for a three day full sized rental at Budget. Of course they gave me a car with a nail in the tire that cost me $38 to repair. They have the shuttle pick up areas marked better than last time. I spent the first night in Southampton at the Hamlet Inn (Booking 8.1) for $144. I mistook it for the Hampton Inn. I was surprised things were so pricy this time of the year or week.
The next day I drove to Montauk. Few restaurants were open for lunch. I had a great bowl of Calamarata Vodka at Alimentari Beach. It is a pasta shaped like calamari rings. Spicy. Everything on the menu looked good. I drove to the lighthouse and Hero State Park next to it. Great views. Saw seals. Over to Gossman's docks. Got some finger foods from IGA for my vino at White's Liquor. Ok chicken parm from Sausages Pizza. Stayed on the beach at the Royal Atlantic Beach Resort (Booking 7.6) for two nights at $129 per. Also mistook this for another hotel.
The next day it rained. I got a bad egg and cheese (they forgot the cheese) at Quincho's. Saw that my tire had become flat and drove to East Hampton to get it fixed at a tire place that gave me free air the day before. Drove through Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton and back. Had a good chicken salad sandwich with chips at Citta Nuova. Drove around Maidstone, etc. Back to Montauk. Grabbed a shitty veal parm at Pizza Village.
The next day I drove through Sag Harbor again. Rain again. Stopped in at Clarissa's Bakery for a really good smoked salmon on whole wheat with some soft white cheese spread. Returned the car. Took the M60 bus to Manhattan. The MTA cards expire quickly, so, you will probably have to buy a new one from a machine inside the terminal and then stick it into the one by the pick up area and get a paper receipt that shows you did. Good news is that the bus just costs the same as any regular one. I think I was the only idiot that paid the fare (there or back). It's $2.90 now. Because I know this route and things were pricier than I expected and the hotel looked miles better in comparison and was new and had a view and was on sale, I stayed at the Renaissance NY Harlem on 125th (Expedia 8.8) for $616 ($75 in RFs) for three nights. Next to the Apollo. I had a 19th floor, brand new room with a view to Times Square. It was my first time staying in Harlem. I was a bit apprehensive with how they have been saying NYC is like it was in the 70s. No problems at all. The bus stopped one block away. Some of the usual drug addicts and old time racists. But mostly like any other neighborhood now. It was still raining (and cold now). Fortunately, I found a first class French wine store (BTL) for wine a block up and over after whiffing at Target and Trader Joe's (only beer). I found out there is a Whole Foods near them too. I just had Chick Fila though and stayed in.
The next day it was sunny. I walked (you read that right) up to 141st and St Nicholas Park to see what I came to see. Alexander Hamilton's House. It was free. I never saw it when I lived here. Turns out, it opened six years after I left (2011). In front of it is CCNY. Nice campus on a hill that I don't know if I had seen before. I stupidly walked down Amsterdam to Columbia instead of Broadway (I forget how it doesn't run straight) and missed the first of a few buildings that were involved in the Manhattan Project. They won't let non-students (and probably Jews) onto the campus anymore. Two idiots cops told me the building I was in front of was Pupin Hall. I still have to double check that. That and Schermerhorn were where some shit (cycletron) went down. Down further to Wu & Nussman for Pork and Crab Xiao Long Bao. I should have ordered more. It was good. A Jewish/Chinese mash up. I turned right after I remembered Grant's Tomb was around here. Also free. I walked through Riverside Park (uptown) to it and the Riverside Church. It was farther up than I remembered, so, I decided to retrace my steps back to the A-Bomb building I missed. I ran across a Sakura Garden on the way. At 125th, they have opened up some arts centers and a science center. Inside was a food court called The Manhattanville Market. I had chicken and corn soup from Butterfunk Biscuit Co and a Detroit style slice from Benny Casanova's Square Pies. I started walking to the building. But, it was too far. I went back to the hotel and watched college football. Chicken sandwich and ff from Harlem Shake. Wine from BTL.
The next day I took the A train (also C) down to Penn Station. I walked over to see what was new at Hudson Yards. Not much. They added a bit to the Hi-Line. It goes across town a few block in the beginning now. Back to the station. Moynihan (Amtrak) station is so nice. I grabbed a turkey sandwich at Oliyo 34 because every place had a long line and the options aren't numerous around there. Paid $12 for the round trip to the Meadowlands. Used one of my tickets to watch the Bucs trounce the G Men. Left at halftime (too cold). Walked from Penn Station to Columbus Circle. Through Times Square. Subway back to 125th. Found a great market two blocks south (Lincoln Market). Had a great rb (so rare), mozz and bacon panini, Greek Salad and Goat Cheese. No wine.
The next day I had a good sausage and egg burrito with tea at 'Chele's for 0nly $15. Just opened. Came with roast potatoes and a field green salad. I wasted so much time chatting with them that I just had time to grab the bus back to the airport.
I can't believe I actually came BACK from NY more relaxed than when I left. Hadn't been to the city since before Covid. Never felt safer. No political/racial tension. I wish it hadn't cooled down or got dark so early. I tried not to break the bank on meals. Being able to go (let alone walk) freely to 141st St! And probably beyond. A game changer. FYI - I had already been to Sylvia's, Red Rooster and Amy Ruth's if you wondered why I ignored them. I almost went to the Notre Dame-Army game at Yankee Stadium. I almost went out to see the Islanders. Maybe I'll go back for New Year's Eve?
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