Miranda

This spot in Williamsburg intrigued me because of the combination of cuisines- Latin/Italian. Curiousa? Went for brunch today after dropping off some duds at Beacon's Closet. The corner location at Berry and North 9th affords lots of light and air from it's muy bonita/bella interior. The space is painted in a warm yellow with lots of cleverly placed exposed brick and warm wooden tables and chairs. I ordered the cemitas a sandwich/torta of grilled chicken, oaxacan cheese, avocado and tomatoey sauce. Freshly grilled chicken went well with the other ingredients and an actual salad with greens and grape tomatoes for $9. My side of mangu for $3 was tdf which is smashed sweet plaintains(maduros) with parmigiano and grilled red onions-delicouso. To drink, the owner offere a tamarind soda which he made sparkly with selzer and that was a refreshing liquid against the bold flavors of the food. A pretty john with a window to a little dining nook is a super clever design detail.
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Pinche Taqueria

Nolita nook, Pinche or little taqueria serves up fast fresh Mexican comida in their charming space. With seats around a little square with exposed brick and an open window with additional stools, Pinche seats about 20 people comfortably. The menu is cheap for the hood with entrees maxing out at $11.75 with a soda. Their signature fish taco with guac., cabbage, cilantro cream on a soft corn tortilla was sabroso and piccante with the added salsas they provide. It is made from lighly battered mahi mahi and at $3.75 was filling. A green tomatillo and a rich red semi spicy salsa add heat to the dish. I ordered a side of Mexican rice which was pleasantly tomatoey and extra tasty with the salsas. No visible john.
Must Go!

NYC ICY

Don't even think about asking for two scoops in a small serving. Only one scoop in a small cup here on Church Ave in the Brooklyn incarnation of the former Ave B fave. My black cherry icy was authentically delish with real flavor and pieces of black cherry in an icy cup. On a hot day it was refreshing and cheap at $2. Lot's of cool flavors like passion fruit and fire engine cherry. All ices and sherberts are made in the back of the shop. The store is large and bright with a couple of chairs outside if you want to finish your icy on lovely Church Ave. Another outpost on 10th Ave. in Manhattan is also open.
Must Go!

Edith Machinist

Edie of Edith the Machinist is the queen of the LES vintage store, having been at her current site on Rivington near Economy Candy for over 7 years. Her vast selection of vintage shoes, bags, jewelry and gear is unmatched. As well as sporting pieces from her own collection. Like a kid in a candy store I have perused and purchased many favorite items here over the years. She picks the creme de la creme of vintage and many models and stylists come here for pieces as well as inspiration. From Chanel to Ferragamo, Edie has pieces that rock and will standout in your wardrobe. Classic European and American pieces as well as the funkier finds. A big summer sale is coming in August. I will post the details.
MUST GO!

Ciao for Now Cafe

Cutie cute new cafe from the owners of the same name in the East Village. This spot on West 10th. Street and 6th Ave, imports it's prepared salads and baked goods from it's East 12th. Street location. My beet, goat cheese and pecan salad with balsamic vinagrette dressing was light and tasty for $8. A chocolate crackle cookie was sweet for $.75.(Both pictured above) Several salads and lot's of yummy sweet treats available at this shabby chic style cafe. A few more seating options wouldn't hurt otherwise a welcome addition to the nabe.
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Texas De Brasil

Heralded as one of the top churrascerias(Brazilian meat palaces) by food magazines and other periodicals, Texas de Brasil is a grand castle like restauarant with several locations throughout the country, none in NYC. The spot at 300 Alton Road and 3rd Street sits on the harbor and a seat near the window affords great views while eating great meat. Eating at churascarias is an awesome experience and this one is one of the granddaddys of them all. The space alone is huge, painted red with lot's of wood as if dining in a friend's castle sounds appealing you can see why they can't afford to come to NYC. The salad bar options were similar to other churrascarias with some nice additions like fresh grana padano, sundried tomatoes, olives, grilled eggplant, and two kinds of grilled zucchini and lots of varieties of extra virgin olive oil and balsamics. Also, at the bar are stews and a soup, yesterday was delish lobster bisque. There is a huge wine list with lots of space to store it. The meat here is first rate. Salty and perfectly cooked from medium rare to well done. The meat servers circulate and stop when your disk says green. If you want your meat a certain cut and doneness, they were obliging. They also bring sweet plantains and delish mashed potatoes with red onions and parsley, gratis. Lunch is served only on Fridays at noon and at $27.99 is a bargain compared to the New York churascarias. Dessert is an irrelevant afterthought. Pics to follow.
MUST GO!

Parmelat Gelateria

Hmmm, authentic Italian gelato on Lincoln Road. This milk and ice-cream maker and winner of many best in Miami awards churns out this delish gelato to the locals and tourists alike. With flavors like chocolate, dulce de leche, zabaglione, nutella, and other fruity flavors Parmelat can cool you off divinely. My first cone of the trip was chocolate and zabaglione, the wine custard like flavor I long for when I travel abroad. So smooth, silky and flavorfull with good locally made cones to enjoy your gelato experience. Killer shakes too. Be forewarned that lines out the door on Friday and Saturday nights are not uncommon.
MUST GO!

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

Lime is the go to restaurant of choice on Alton Road not far from the Regal Cinemas when jonesing for a good, cheap Mexican comida. This spot cooks your food fix up fresh and serves up about 10 homemade salsas to go with your order. My veggie quesadilla at $6.99 was huge on a fresh flour tortilla packed with homemade guacamole, onions a peppers, some tortilla chips and sour cream. Very tasty though a few zucchini would not hurt, but what the hay. The homemade salsas rock and include a delish, suave(mild), spicy bean, mild bean and corn, spicy, and extras like limes and cilantro. There is a tropical outdoor space to eat your comida and a chill vibe to boot.
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World Resources

This Lincoln Road mainstay offers up the freshest sushi as well as Thai cuisine. Outdoor and indoor seating offer up a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the road is hot if you can stand the heat. The lunch special is one of the best deals on the Road. For $12.75 their grand bento box features sushi and sashimi, plus a california roll, small salad with homemade ginger or miso dressing, miso soup and a cantalope and orange piece. The fish is super fresh, from the ocean and artfully prepared. There are Thai specials like chicken massaman with avocado, potato with cashews in coconut milk for $10.50. Lunch salads like grilled salmon fillet with steamed asparagus and grape tomato with ginger dressing is $12. Another salad option is the crispy duck salad for $11 Remember that many restaurants in Miami include the tip in the bill so check first. People watching while dining alfresco at World Resources is also world class. Pics will follow.
Must Go!

The Standard Hotel and Spa

The Standard Hotel on Belle Island is a motel style hotel formerly the Lido that eschews a relaxed beachy feel and everyone walks around in robes and havana flip flops. I have been to the Standard many times where you can buy a day pass for $40 during the week and enjoy the luxe facilities which include a lovely pool on the bay, jacuzzi with waterfall, and spectacular vistas especially at sunset. Inside is the delectable, large hamam , and it is a traditional hamam with heated stone floors and heated marble. Off the hamam is a finnish sauna and supersteam with additional metal tubs if you need a soaking. This stuff is the real deal all top of the line luxe. Additionally there is a menu of yoga you can take when you come in for the day. If you do not want to make a day of it, you can take advantage of free yoga on Wednesday with Matteo at 4:15. In the airy though not airconditioned yoga room, Matteo starts the class surrounded by flowers and candles and chanting music. He has an assistant assist people with the postures. The class was about beginner-intermediate level and was a detoxifying experience. At the classes end while we were lying in corpse they came around and put oil on our foreheads. I hear there is bingo on Sunday nights from 8:30-11:00 with door prizes like complimentary spa treatments and free nights at the hotel. The Standard is about a 20 minute walk from the Regal Cinemas on Lincoln Road.
Must Go!

La Provence Bakery

This bakery is probably one of the best this side of the Atlantic. I have braved ten minute plus lines to eat breakfast here in what I would say is in the top 10 of the best in food in what Miami Beach has to offer. Newly renovated at Collins and Lincoln Road with a larger dining space painted in green to resemble it's namesake Provence and a shrunken kitchen. La Provence offers artisan french baking with natural ingredients in true French tradiion. Everything here is absolutely mind blowing and my favorite and there are many are the beignets. Baked properly dark there are three, plain, raspberry and chocolate hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Gorgeous classic pastries, croissants, danish and muffins and of course bread. My breakfast of a chocolate beignet and decaffinated cappucino was $5.30, not bad. This place is the real deal and the folks who steadfastly wait on line here would agree.
Must Go!