0 Corner Social...

Being from Harlem, I get extremely skeptical when new places that sell food just randomly pop up. I don't know why, but for some reason I went against my better judgement and decided to try out Corner Social.

So what's the problem with new restaurants in Harlem?
Technically...nothing. The issue I have with them is that there is usually sooooooo much hype that surrounds them. Then when you get around to trying it out you find that it's overpriced, overrated, and just a waste of time. But, like I mentioned before I went against my better judgement and decided to give it a try.

OK. Was it as bad as you envisioned it?
Not really. Nice ambiance, no crowd, decent music, service was pleasant. I must say that I had a really nice lunch outing.

2 questions in and you haven't mentioned anything about the food...guess it wasn't that good huh?
Uhh...so I figured I would take the healthier approach and get the fish tacos (I mean who doesn't love a nice fish taco right?) with an Angry Orchard beer. Sad to say that the beer turned out to be the highlight of my lunch. The tacos were small, bland, and falling apart as soon as I picked them up. Thought the little salsa that they give you would have done it some justice...WRONG! Definitely, wasn't a wise decision on my behalf.

Damn. That sucks. Why didn't try something else while you were there or send the food back?
As much as they try to get you to believe that nothing is done to the food of the customer that send his/her plate back...I'm not buying it! And I didn't buy something else because I'm not in the habit of buying multiple meals during one sitting (especially since I'm there solo). On top of that, why would I invest more money in a place that has already let me down? But yet somehow, the following day I managed to find myself there for dinner -_-

So disappointed with your encounter and yet you go back? Why?
Aside from the food, the place is actually very nice when it comes to social atmosphere. So my hunger and lack of wanting to be in the house is what drove me back over there. Needless to say, I DID NOT get the fish tacos!

How was the second time around?
MUCH BETTER! Was with a buddy of mine and we decided to start out with the chicken nachos which were...SLAMMING! Not necessarily the healthiest choice, but they were sooooo good! As an entree I got the turkey burger and salad. Not for nothing, this may have been one of, if not the best, turkey burger I've ever had. Huge patty, great flavor, the fix'ns weren't overbearing...everything was put together very nicely. Hell, even the salad was good! Experience overall was a complete upgrade from the day before.

Glad to hear your second experience was better then your first...anything else I should know about this place?
Keep in mind that this place is a lounge/bar. Don't go into it expecting to get the best meal you ever had. Also, understand that this place is still fairly new so I'm sure they're in the process of playing with items on the menu to see what works and what doesn't.

Recommendations?
Yeah....STAY AWAY FROM THE FISH TACOS! This place is nothing worth traveling far and wide for, but if you're in the area I'd say give it a try

 

Corner Social

321 Lenox Ave

New York, NY 10027

(212) 510-8552

2 Adventures In Restaurant Week Part Deux

I think I can get use to this restaurant week stuff. Select menu, discounted items, 3 course meal...I'd be a fool to not take advantage. Next up on my restaurant quest...Haru!

What the hell is Haru?
Simply put...Haru is a Sushi restaurant. Not like one of those $8 dollar Bento Box kind of places. It's waaaaaay more upscale. Kinda sorta like a Blue Fin or maybe Sushi Samba.

Ugh! Sushi! There's something about raw food (especially fish) that just doesn't do it for me. So you was over there eating a bunch of raw sea animals?
SMH! I was not. Even though I am a Sushi fan the items I chose to order weren't typical Sushi items...actually I didn't order Sushi at all. To start I had the King Crab Dumplings. For an entree I had the Filet Mignon. And for dessert I had the Cheesecake Tempura.

Doesn't sound like the typical Sushi order! With a place catered towards Sushi, how were the other non-Sushi items?
A! M! A! Z! I! N! G! The crab dumplings weren't what I expected. I thought it would be more of a jumbo lump kind of crab meat, but it was more of a paste. Either way I wasn't disappointed. The...Filet...Mignon! COOKED TO PERFECTION! So tender! So flavorful! Just an extremely well cooked piece of steak. And last but CERTAINLY NOT least...the cheesecake tempura. I'm not much of a dessert guy. It's not that I don't like sweets but during the course of a dinner outing, by the time it gets to dessert I'm full! Knowing this, I rarely get dessert. But since it came with the whole Restaurant Week special I said what the hell. THAT CHEESECAKE TEMPURA WAS SO DAMN GOOD!

Looks like the best part of your meal was dessert. Did the other courses not measure up?
The appetizer and entree were amazing! Like I don't have one single complaint about either. But I'm convinced that sweet baby Jesus himself...came down from the Heavens...and crafted that Cheesecake Tempura! It was without a doubt the best part of my already amazing meal.

What was so good about this damn tempura?
Let me paint a picture....
You're at an amusement park, carnival, fair, bazaar, etc. After looking all day you finally find the funnel cake stand. OF COURSE you get some funnel cake because you don't know when you'll ever have some again. You take that first bite and find out that your funnel cake has been filled with sweet, warm cheesecake. But not just any old box cheesecake that can be purchased from some random corner store. This is homemade, hand-crafted cheesecake! So now you're sitting there with cheesecake, wrapped in funnel cake, and some syrup at the bottom of the plate that does nothing but complement. That right there ladies and gentlemen...is what made that Cheesecake Tempura so damn good!

I kind want a piece of that right now! Obviously, the food was good...how was the ambiance and service?
Very clean, dim lighting, pleasant staff, mellow vibe. The type of place you could go to for a romantic evening or an after work get together.

Nice. Recommendations?
GO HERE! Whether you're in the area or not, you NEED to try this place out! And that's all I got to say about that.

Haru Sushi

220 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10003

2 Adventures in Restaurant Week

I can't even believe that restaurant week has been around for so long and I'm just now taking advantage of it. SMH...silly me! Let's not dwell on my negligence, but focus more on my experience.

You're an idiot for taking so long to indulge in restaurant week, but like you said I won't dwell...where did you go?
Ok...no need for the name calling now! First stop, was Victor's Cafe. An upbeat Cuban restaurant located in the theater district. Figured since I'm a huge fan of Spanish cuisine, what better way to start my restaurant week adventures?

Nice! I'm sure you had you're hands full with picking a dish, so what did you end up getting?
To start I had the Shrimp Ceviche. Followed by the "Ropa Vieja" which is shredded Angus skirt steak simmered in garlic, tomatoes, onions, and peppers nestled in a plantain basket. I know I know...it sounds like a lot but it's basically beef stew in a small cup made out of plantains. And for dessert I ended up with the traditional flan.

Sounds like you were eating pretty damn good...any dislikes?
Some. Nothing to keep me from going there again though. First - I thought the shrimp ceviche was a little plain. Just some cold shrimp with chopped up onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Nothing all that special. Flavor was eh. Second - the Ropa Vieja was VERY GOOD, but was a bit on the salty side. The flan was straight though

Doesn't seem like it was that good of a meal...you sure you enjoyed it?
I did enjoy it...thoroughly. But there were some things that could be worked on. Don't get me wrong, I would definitely order those same things again (probably not the ceviche), but just putting it out there so everyone is prepared.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?
Yes...THE SANGRIA IS BANGING!  That's all

Recommendation?
There are definitely other places where the Spanish cuisine is better, but Victor's is worth a shot

 

Victor's Cafe

236 W 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

(212) 586-7714