Film Center Cafe

9th Ave btwn 44th and 45th, Manhattan
www.filmcentercafe.com


Ryan and I met Demond at the Film Center Cafe for brunch last weekend. It was surprisingly uncrowded for 12:30 on a Saturday (we've been other times on the weekends and had to wait, but this time we got a sweet corner booth). The cafe plays old movies on its tvs over the bar, which adds a bit of charm. Demond stuck with his regular--eggs benedict--and I got my semi-regular, eggs florentine. Ryan had three eggs with hash browns and toast. The boys had iced coffee, each with their own tiny pitcher of cream, and I pretended to be European and ordered an unlimited bellini ($15). So of course I had to get a refill to get my money's worth, which led to me needing a nap later in the afternoon (granted, Ryan and I also walked down to the High Line Park at 20th & 10th, so my poor toes needed a rest).

The eggs florentine ($12) was delightful, if the potatoes were a bit greasy. The eggs were poached just right and the spinach was seasoned well. I was only put off by the canned-peach-on-a-toothpick as garnish...not quite fresh fruit, but then maybe with my bellini it was just a syrupy peach overload. The service was prompt up until the end--once again, we had to wait an eon for the check--but that allowed for time to visit the swanky bathroom downstairs. All in all a lovely Saturday brunch outing.

3 petals
plentiful brunch options and beverages, film ambiance

Photo by John Saponara

Neptune Diner

31-05 Astoria Blvd at 31st St (Astoria Blvd N/Q Stop), Astoria
718.278.4853


If random internet trivia (from an unverified user review) is to be believed, a scene from Goodfellas was filmed at the Neptune Diner circa 1990. True or not, the diner is a neighborhood institution due to its longevity and high visibility from Astoria Boulevard (with two sides of the roof touting banners "Best Diner in Queens" and "Best Diner in New York City"--year unmentioned). I appreciated the nod to the (characteristically un-hip) diner in last year's NYTimes article about the prevalence of comedians in Astoria.

I've been to the diner twice now, the last time with Ryan, Sara, Bryant, and visitor Sam in tow. The best part of the experience may be the tacky-yet-coordinated decor, with colored lamps, blue vinyl furniture, a wall of mirrors and plentiful windows. The waiters (all are male) wear navy vests and bow ties, even at 2 a.m. Our waiter was a bit of a curmudgeon who shouted orders to a nearby underling and seemed resentful when Ryan pointed out that he had ordered a strawberry daquiri, not a strawberry milkshake. We found ourselves envying the overly friendly service by a different waiter directed at the table of semi-drunks next to us. Apparently nightlife at the Neptune depends upon the luck of the draw.

The most the diner has going for it is its 24-hour service, complete with lengthy cocktail menu (unlike other Astoria diners that don't serve alcohol). The food is cheap and plentiful, if poor quality, with pages and pages of menu ranging from breakfast to sandwiches and burgers to seafood and Greek specialties. The fresh sesame bread served prior to meals isn't outstanding, but it is warm and filling. But both times my entree has been underwhelming at best: a Swiss omelet that did justice to the description "greasy spoon," and a grilled cheese with tomato--the tomatoes were hard to the point of being inedible, and the accompanying cole slaw not to my liking. Ryan claims that the chicken and broccoli, doused in cream of mushroom soup, was just like something his mom or gramma would make--for better or worse. Bryant concurred that his food was like something you could eat at a family gathering--of dubious origin and nutritional value, but at least you didn't have to make it yourself.

There will probably be other late nights at the Neptune, but I certainly won't seek it out when craving actual sustenance. For vegetarians especially, a liquid-only order (the diner is named after the god of the sea) might be the best route.

1 petal
cheap, amusing decor, all night, alcohol; bad food

Photo copyright Ben Shirai, used with permission

Gallo Nero Wine Bar & Grill

44th St btwn 9th and 10th Aves, Manhattan
www.gallonerony.com



On a rainy evening in Manhattan, Ryan and I met up with the ever fashionable and feisty Taylor, who was in town on official business. We chose an Italian eatery near her hotel: Gallo Nero, which promised reasonably priced comfort food (and touted a critics' pick by New York Magazine). We sloshed through puddles and sidestepped drippy tourists to escape a bit of the Times Square din, landing upon this small eatery tucked around the corner from 9th Avenue. The big storm had not yet set in, so the glass doors along the front of the restaurant were open, and we received a cozy table in the back corner complete with miniature oil-lamp votives.

The wine list was plentiful although a bit pricey--I chose a $9 glass of cabernet, the cheapest option on the menu. Ryan wanted beer but opted to avoid the $30 craft offerings, with nothing less expensive available, so he stuck with water. I had the gnocchi, which was superb--soft and warm in a surprisingly spicy marinara sauce. Taylor finished off her mushroom risotto, which was served on a plentiful platter and had a richly chewy texture. Ryan opted for the grilled chicken/arugula salad, which he claims was "awesome," and I have to take his word for that one. Prior to dinner we were served bread with oil, which was okay but a bit too tough on my pearly whites.

My wallet prevented me from sampling the tiramisu, which was just as well since we had to wait an eon for our check. A lengthy discussion ensued about the availability of a restroom, which it turns out was tucked away beyond entrance to the kitchen. All in all a cozy rainy-day meal, but not an experience I'm enticed to repeat.

2 petals
cozy, nice ambiance, good entrees; pricey drinks, slow service, less-than-stellar bread


Photo by Shanna Ravindra