Fairway Cafe

I know what you're asking yourself. What the hell are they doing all the way up at 75th street? It's true, we're both Brooklynites now, and I rarely venture above Rock Center, where I'm (un)fortunate enough to work. But on this lovely day, we were participating in The Race for the Cure in Central Park at the ungodly weekend hour of 8AM. We burned off some calories during the 5K, and decided we should get them immediately back by eating at Fairway for brunch.

The Fairway Cafe is located above the Upper West Side's Fairway Market, and serves breakfast and lunch. There is also a proper restaurant up there, offering semi-fancy dinners, which we did not venture into. The space is fairly large, with one side lined with sunny windows. It's very much has the feel of the melding of a cafe and a diner, and the service is.. meh. But I've had much worse.

The brunch menu includes exactly what you'd expect from a breakfast/brunch menu (pancakes, eggs, meat, waffles, sandwiches, coffee, tea, etc), and we did we what we always do with such a menu- we split. We ordered a special that included a waffle, eggs and bacon, and each got a coffee. The prices are as you'd expect: more than I like to spend on things like eggs, but that's partially because I'm from middle of nowhere America where food is just cheaper (often times boring, but cheaper).

The food was good, nothing incredible and a little bland, but good. It's much like what your Mom would make you if she had time to make you a big breakfast. Except for my Mom, because her omlettes are aaaaaawesome. The coffee was especially good, which, like everything else, is sourced from the market downstairs.

I would like to return sometime, I hear their sundaes are yummy, and--if you're a lobster roll person--I hear theirs is a bargain. -Laurel

My old coworker, Roland, raved about this place all the time. He lives in the UWS, so understandably it is convenient for him. However, as Laurel mentioned above, it’s not so convenient for us.

Nonetheless on that fateful day after I walked and Laurel ran (I’m the much lazier of the two of us), we decided to go to Fairway Café and grab a bite of brunch. If you’ve never been to Fairway Market, you’re missing out on the awesome market, and you should make a point to go there on a less crowded time (a Monday around say, 2pm would probably work). They have virtually everything you can think of, and not too expensive either, with lotsa deals. If you don’t want to go to the UWS, don’t fret. There’s one in Red Hook that has an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty, although a not-so-great café to go with it.

The UWS Fairway Café is much better than the one in Red Hook. The décor simple, but nice – a large open space with mirrors lining the walls and ceilings. As Laurel said, they have a lot of options for brunch and dinner. They are famous for their steak, although it's pricey (which makes sense and yet is kind of weird - it's above a grocery store, after all). The food wasn’t lackluster, but it wasn’t the best meal in the whole world. The waffles were tasty and the eggs cooked how we wanted, but honestly how can you screw that up? The coffee was delicious, but didn’t come in the promised French press that was on the menu.

When we walked in we were barked at by the owner to sit down wherever we pleased then barked at again because we apparently sat in the wrong spot (although it was where we pleased). The server was distracted, not in a my-cell-phone-is-more-important-than-you way, but more so he just seemed stressed.

The best part of the trip was an adorable dude who had just finished playing tennis. Out of everything, I remember this the most (men before food? I'm such a terrible food blogger). If you were playing tennis on the day of the Race for the Cure and ate at Fairway Cafe, meet me back there after this year's race on Sept. 12. I'll be drenched in sweat - I'm actually running this year...

Eat here, fall in love, and buy some fresh coffee from the market below. -Jennifer




Address: 2127 Broadway between 74th and 75th St.

Website: FairwayMarket.com, Yelp


Payment: Cash, Cards

Delivery: No

Open Late: Til 1am

Large Group Friendly: Yep

Bar/Happy Hour: Beer and Wine Only

Relish

This was the night of all nights. This was the night we were in Williamsburg to see King Khan and the Shrines. We decided to meet up early and grab a bite, and Erin from Laurel's work suggested Relish. I had seen it before, as it's a pretty noticeable place: it looks like a really swanky... trailer.

The inside has an expensive vibe, and it kind of is, but boy is it tasty. This diner-type restaurant offers a little of everything, much like any other diner in New York. However, it is set apart by its upscale and unique blend of all kinds of different foods: French, Italian, Greek, etc., all with a bit of an American splash. They offer everything from a Grilled Cheese Sandwich (with mozzarella instead of American cheese, and some basil, fennel and marinara) to Spicy Pan Roasted Grouper with grits. Their selection keeps going with a mix of different kinds of seafood, steak, pasta, and omelets.

Ravished with hunger, I wanted everything on the menu. Laurel and I decided to split the pork tenderloin, brussel sprouts and potatoes ($21). We also ordered a side of mac and cheese with bacon in it. I was skeptical about the mac and cheese, mainly because it seemed overpriced ($12). However, when it came out, I was in noodle heaven. Creamy in the middle with a crusty top (and perhaps a little too much bacon), this mac and cheese was the perfect meal in itself, if you are a big carbo loader. Our dining companion Casey got what I really wanted (mainly because I was still starving after splitting all that food with Laurel): Half Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme, with a side of yukon gold mashed potatoes and asparagus. The picture below makes it look small, but trust me: it was enough food for two people.

Top this off with Elderflower cocktails and you have yourself one slightly expensive but extremely delicious meal. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a new spin on some old favorites. Maybe you'll even find a new favorite. - Jennifer

Things I remember most about this place: it looks like a big trailer, and the mac and cheese. As for the first, the inside has a long bar across one side and booths across the other. It's dark and pretty comfy, definitely nicer than any trailer I've been to. The service was fairly attentive and efficient. The menu is classic comfort food, but a bit fancier. It's a little on the pricey side, but the portions are big and we were pleased with everything we ate, so mostly worth it.

The entrees skew towards the heavier side, with options like meats and potatoes accented with creams and sauces, mac and cheese, and so forth. I would suggest you try the mac and cheese--it was excellent, and didn't need all that bacon (for once, I'd suggest sans pork). It is super cheesy and the crust on top is yum. The pork tenderloin had nice flavor but was just a bit over done, and the brussel sprouts were nicely cooked (as in, not too cooked). It was all-in-all a very satisfying (if not a bit much on the calorie-intake) meal.

Try this place out if you're feeling too skinny, or just want to wrap yourself in the comfort of cheesy goodness. -Laurel

Address: 225 Wythe Ave at N. 3rd Street (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Website: http://www.relish.com/

Payment: cash, cards

Delivery: no

Open Late: Sun-Thurs til 12am, Fri and Sat til 1am

Large Group Friendly: yes

Bar/Happy Hour: yes

Veselka

We decided on Veselka for dinner one night because one of us wanted a burger and one of us wanted pierogies, and we were headed for Union Square. It worked out kind of perfectly. They were busy but not crowded, and we fit nicely at the bar without a wait. As a bonus, we had a nice view of the prep cooks fixing up orders.

The menu is a combination of classic diner food (burgers, salads, soups, sandwiches) and classic Ukranian dishes (perogies, potato pancakes, blintzes). I had been craving a burger, and ordered a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries. The burger was huge, with melty cheddar cheese and the fixings on the side. I must say it was delicious-- nice beefy flavor, cooked right at medium with a squishy bun. It was one of the messiest burgers I've ever eaten. The juices ended up all over my plate, my hands, my face. I'm surprised Jennifer wasn't effected by this from just sitting next to me. The fries were also very good-- they tasted fresh and had a nice strong sweet potato flavor. Not overly crisp but not limp.

The ambiance is diner but nicer. Our waitress was an older lady and very nice. She was there when we needed her, and that's what counts. Note that they are open 24 hours, and because of that I hear they can be a bit crowded late nights on the weekends. But one of those greasy burgers would be tops on a night like that. -Laurel

There are two staples in my weekly diet, and they both involve potatoes - gnocchi and pierogies. Without a doubt, Veselka is the perfect place to go when you are craving the latter. 

Open 55 years, Veselka makes some mean Ukranian food. Because we opted for immediate seating at the bar, we had a prime view of all the different foods on the menu. Their potato pancakes looked melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the blintzes looked soft and crispy and yummy as well. However, I had my heart set on those pierogies, and I was unbelievably excited to get them.

Here you can mix and match seven different kinds of pierogies (potato, sweet potato, cheese, spinach and cheese, meat, and sauerkraut and mushroom, all for $9.50) as well as how you would like them cooked (boiled or deep fried). They come with sauteed caramelized onions and you can request apple sauce and/or sour cream as well (50 cents extra if you choose both). I decided on four sweet potato pierogies, and three reg. potato pierogies. I have never in my life had deep fried pierogies or pierogies filled with sweet potatoes and as soon as I took my first bite I wondered aloud why. Crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside, with that hint of sweetness (with the sweet potatoes) and hint of saltiness (with the reg. potatoes) these were perfect, especially when topped off with all of the previously mentioned fixings (all three are MUST HAVES if you are getting pierogies). My heart melted and all I could think afterward was More! (said in the voice of the alien at the beginning of Men in Black).

As a note, I had a bite of Laurel's sweet potato fries and they were probably some of the best I've ever had. They were a bit squishier than ones I've had in the past, and not overly salty. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. 

Ambiance-wise, the wait staff was quick but didn't bustle you out. One complaint would be that after taking our plates it was hard to get a check, but we didn't have to wait too long, and made friends with the guy sitting beside us who ordered some sort of beet soup. However, if you decide to go here, I strongly suggest sitting at the bar (unless you are on a date and want to see them) simply because the guys who work behind the counter were cracking me up. They were calling on some of the wait staff just so they could make fun of them. Dinner and a show (actually maybe that's good for a cheap date?). - Jennifer

Address: 144 Second Ave (at 9th St)

Website: http://veselka.com/

Payment: credit, cash

Delivery: no

Open Late: 24 Hours

Large Group Friendly: Yes, but doesn't take reservations

Bar/Happy Hour: beer and wine

Neptune Diner

We picked up Laurel from the airport and she automatically said 'You guys hungry?' I had just eaten waffles, but of course I have a mental problem where I must always stuff food in my mouth, so I was down for some more grub. I remembered the Neptune Diner because as Laurel said, it's famous, and because Dan had wanted to go there the other day (shout-out to Dan).

Even though I had already had waffles, I opted for french toast and bacon. The bacon was crispy and not too soggy which is rare to find at a diner. The french toast was amazing. It was an egg coated thick cut toast (the way french toast is SUPPOSED to be) fried to a crispness on the outside and a softness on the inside, and like the bacon, not too soggy. It tasted just like the way my dad used to make it.

Only complaint would be that the owners/servers were way too curt. I'm just not into that. Granted, I'm used to it at diners in New York, but it doesn't mean that I like it. However, I will say that Brett getting yelled at for having his feet in the seat was pretty much hilarious.

I would say that if I lived closer to the Neptune Diner, I would go there all the time. Too bad it's a little too far from my house. - Jennifer

PS - I just remembered that I'm pretty sure they had octopus on the menu.

Neptune Diner is rumored to be the best diner in Queens, and we ended up there because 1. Jennifer suggested it, and 2. it had parking and we were in a car. Upon walking inside you are greeted by an unappetizing fish case on your left, a long counter and lots of booth seating. The service was hasty and Brett was scolded for putting his feet up (again), but in a way you expect that from a diner. Diners are not where you go to be coddled.

The menu is classically ridiculously big. Pages are filled with sandwiches, salads, soups, egg dishes, Greek dishes, hot plates, french toast, drinks, milkshakes, and more. Pretty much anything you can think of (so don't take someone who is notoriously bad at making up their mind). In our true fashion, Jennifer and I ordered breakfast-- I the blueberry pancakes (above) and she the french toast (below). Brett got a milkshake and said it was okay. My pancakes were nice and fluffy, and the large helping of blueberries was nice, but it was really just blueberry pie filling tucked inside. I would have much preferred frozen or fresh blueberries inside the actual batter. I think overall it was too sweet, and just not as good as I had hoped.

I would be willing to try Neptune again and order something different. If you're craving classical diner grub and are in the area, it's worth a try. -Laurel

Address: 3105 Astoria Blvd, Astoria (Queens)

Website: n/a http://www.yelp.com/biz/neptune-diner-astoria

Payment: Cash or Card

Delivery: Yes

Open Late: Yes

Bar/Happy Hour: Full bar

The Usual

Jennifer and I came upon The Usual on the way to go running in Prospect Park (no--we didn't eat instead of run), and made note for brunch. We returned later with big appetites, and found a table for two right away.

The atmosphere is casual, but doesn't have squeaky plastic booths but rather cafe style seating. The menu is pretty classic diner, though, with lots of options. We did what we do best in brunch situations: ordered something sweet, ordered something savory, and split them between us. Above you see the waffle with strawberries, and below an omelet with turkey sausage, onion and cheese with home fries and toast. Prices are standard, our bill came to about $19 with all this and hot tea.

The waffle wasn't unusual or over-the-top, but well done. It was crisp on the outside, pillowy and chewy on the inside, and the strawberries were fresh. The omelet was also good, not as fluffy as it could be, but good with a good portion of tasty toppings mixed in. The homefries weren't my favorite-- I like them crispy-- but not bad, either. The portions were appropriate, especially since we were so hungry. We ate it all, but were full afterwards. All-in-all it was a solid brunch.

I would recommend this place as a solid brunch spot in Prospect Heights if you live in or are visiting the area. Nothing spectacular, but still pretty delicious and sometimes nothing will do but some eggs and a waffle. Nice place to reverse your calorie burn after a run. -Laurel

Yes, we ran. I was unbelievably proud of myself. We decided in that run to start training for mini-marathons. Since that day, Laurel has continued to run, and I've...not. But here I pledge myself to start running for realz.

Ok, now that that's out of the way. Exercise really does burn calories to give way to starvation, and while The Usual isn't that mind blowing, the food is definitely filling, tasty and cheap. Our waffle was sweet and flaky, just like a belgian waffle should be, and the omelet wasn't spectacular, but the sausage inside was the perfect counterpart to the onions and cheese. And unlike my dining companion, I love home fries soft or crispy or pretty much any way (I love potatoes), but these potatoes lacked a certain pizazz. Nothing ketchup and salt won't solve, but my favorite homefries are those that don't need any extras.

The Usual is cute inside, and while the place is very diner-y menu wise, but it's more reminiscent of a down home local family joint, rather than the diner from Seinfeld, which had more of a ... dirty feel (is it just me that thinks that?)

Either way - if you're ever around going for a run, you should stop by. Or if you live somewhere close, you should make it your place to hang. Or if you have to pee, you should check out the tiny bathroom. - Jennifer

Address: 637 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn

Website: http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=41632&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=31&home=Y

Payment: Cash, Cards

Take Out: Yes

Delivery: Yes

Open Late: No

Bar/Happy Hour: No

Lyric Diner

I've been to this place about 1,000 times. I used to call it my favorite diner in New York, as when I went in November of '06, it was excellent. Now, however, it's slowly gotten terrible. And it was the perfect middle to a terrible night. Later in the night, I would be told I was, in essence, unattractive. The people who hang out around the Lyric Diner, at say, Rodeo Bar or Tonic, are basically white guys with a little bit of money, which, as I've learned, there's nothing worse.



I don't get it though. The same people work at Lyric, but for some reason their attitudes are jaded. They aren't very nice, and it's a little annoying. I didn't get any food this particular time, but I've always enjoyed it, so I really think they just suck now, for lack of a better word.



Also - Liz went back later in the night. She had had a terrible night as well, and just wanted a snack. They left the money on the table and walked out (you're supposed to pay at the counter if you want), the waiter - the same one in Laurel's story below - came outside and screamed that they didn't pay $3, when they did. Apparently, the busboy took it. The night ended with her throwing money in his face and telling him to f**k off. Let's just say the next day was MUCH better. - Jennifer


Lyric Diner is what you think of when you think of a diner. Open all the time, crazy old guy working there, an overly sized and ridiculously varied menu, etc. The prices are normal for New York-- more than I'd pay at a diner other places, but usually expected here. We came here for after-dinner dinner one night when we had a terrible experience at another place (we'll save that one for a later review).

I'm a person that, when faced with the option to order breakfast, I do it 95% of the time. I love breakfast/brunch, and how often can you eat french toast for dinner? So that's what I got. I ordered the challah french toast which was 7 or $8, sides were extra. When I got it, I received what you see above. I asked him where my challah was. He said that was challah. I said no it's not. He gave me some weird explanation about why it was challah, and I ate it and said to myself "that's no challah." I felt swindled for two reasons: 1. challah is tastier and more expensive. 2. They had regular french toast for less (which is what I ate), and came with 3 pieces instead of two.

In short, the food was fine but I was disappointed in the value and the borderline dishonesty of it. Not a terrible place to go if you need food late at night in that part of town, but there are better--and why were you hanging out in that part of town late at night, anyway? -Laurel

Address: 283 3rd Ave (@ 22nd Street)

Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/lyric-diner-new-york

Payment: Cash, Cards

Take Out: Yes

Open Late: 24 hours

Delivery: no

Large Group Friendly: yes

Bar/Happy Hour: nope!